A ‘back to basics’ approach to offender supervision: Does working alliance contribute towards success of probation?
| Author | Kimberly Collins,Jennifer Hart |
| DOI | 10.1177/2066220314543747 |
| Published date | 01 August 2014 |
| Date | 01 August 2014 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
European Journal of Probation
2014, Vol. 6(2) 112 –125
© The Author(s) 2014
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DOI: 10.1177/2066220314543747
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A ‘back to basics’ approach
to offender supervision: Does
working alliance contribute
towards success of probation?
Jennifer Hart
University of Teesside, UK
Kimberly Collins
University of Teesside, UK
Abstract
Working alliance (WA) considers the bond between two people, and their ability to
work collaboratively to set goals and tasks. In the present study, WA was applied
to probation to assess the relationship between a probation officer and offender.
Questionnaires were administered to offenders to examine the impact of offender risk
and offence type upon the development of WA, and how WA predicted perceived
success of probation. WA did not differ as a result of risk or offence type but was highly
predictive of success of probation. Results were discussed in terms of task, bond and
goals and how these are a cost-effective method of improving success of probation.
Keywords
Working alliance, probation, task, bond, goals
Introduction
From ‘advise, assist and befriend’ to assessment, accredited programmes
and breaches
The UK probation system has changed considerably over the past few decades.
Historically, little focus was placed on ‘evidence based practice’ and probation officers
(POs) were simply directed to ‘advise, assist and befriend’ offenders (Probation of
Corresponding author:
Kimberly Collins, University of Teesside, Borough Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BA, UK.
Email: k.collins@tees.ac.uk
543747EJP0010.1177/2066220314543747European Journal of ProbationHart and Collins
2014
Article
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