Probation Journal

Against the backdrop of some important changes to the criminal justice system, this article reports an evaluation of an advice and support service in a large magistrates’ court. We also identify the main local drivers for the establishment of this service, namely the requirement to address the presence of several groups of low risk offenders on the probation caseload. Observations were made of the service’s day-to-day practices and interviews were conducted with key court personnel and a sample of the service’s clients. The findings identify two main issues: the ways in which the service engaged with offenders and court personnel; and the dilemmas associated with working in partnership with other agencies. We conclude by noting that despite various tensions and dilemmas, the service was highly valued by probation, magistrates and service users.

This article describes and analyses the involvement of the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) with the Probation Service since 2001 when first complaints, and latterly the deaths of hostel residents, have come within its remit. The Ombudsman’s office now has two operational arms — one investigating complaints, and the other investigating fatal incidents — each with around 30 investigators. So far as probation is concerned, the fatal incidents remit only embraces the residents of approved premises, although it is possible for complaints to be made about other deaths of those subject to supervision.

This article offers both a literature review, and perspectives on the definition and nature of depressive illness, its various modes of presentation, and its significance in male, female and adolescent populations. It provides a brief review of some of the ideas about the aetiology of depression, outlines how to recognize it and discusses its relevance to forensic populations. Finally it suggests how early detection of depression and, consequently, more adequate access to treatment intervention, can be facilitated. Unfortunately, the presence of depression is sometimes overlooked and therefore missed (particularly in males) sometimes with tragic consequences for the sufferer and for society.

Offenders tend to experience high rates of psychosocial problems and these can interfere with their community resettlement. This article describes a 12-month probation-funded pilot service that assessed and supported offenders to move into integrated community placements from two Approved Premises in South London. The service was provided by forensic mental health practitioners and its philosophy was goals-oriented. It was well received by clients and probation service colleagues and appeared effective in helping clients overcome social and psychological difficulties that may otherwise have interfered with their post-hostel resettlement. The service represented a good example of health and criminal justice agency collaborative working.

This article is a response to ‘Using Attachment Theory with Offenders’ by Maria Ansbro which was published in the September 2008 issue of Probation Journal. The authors describe how they have promoted the importance of attachment theory and outline how they have applied it in the context of a risk training course in which Ansbro’s article is required reading. In particular, the authors advocate the need for offender managers not only to pay greater attention to an offender’s attachment history as an essential part of the risk assessment process, but also to recognize the centrality of the quality of the professional relationship in managing risk. In addition, the authors suggest approaching OASys (Offender Assessment System) from a new perspective that takes account of attachment issues.