Specified Activities: Raft or Bridge?
| Published date | 01 September 1988 |
| DOI | 10.1177/026455058803500315 |
| Date | 01 September 1988 |
| Author | Chris McCormack |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Specified Activities: Raft or
Bridge?
Chris McCormack
Probation Officer, Lichfield
My recent interviews with offenders on a
What happens when the client has completed
‘specified activities’ programme as a condition
the requisite number of weeks on the pro-
of their probation order about their experience
gramme. Does s/he slip back into the timeless
demonstate some of the potential but also some
boredom and hopelessness of unemployment on
of the uncertainties about the value of such pro-
limited income? Does inertia again take over?
grammes. Everyone interviewed felt certain that
I suggest that this is not always the case, nor
had it not been for the programme they would
that it need be so. However, I think that if such
have been sent to prison, and they viewed the
programmes are to be stepping stones to
programme as infinitely better than any
something better, then there is need for atten-
custodial experience, but ...
tion to be devoted to where they fit into the pro-
Some clients, particularly from the under 20
bation order of which they are a part.
year age group, thought that the programme of
It was my impression from the interviews that
specified activities was too similar to their ex-
many clients need such guidance from someone
perience of school which they associated with
who is not part of the programme if they are
failure, rejection and pointless regimentation.
to recognise their own defence against new ex-
This sad reflection of the educational system
periences and go on to focus on those things
raises questions on at least two levels. Firstly,
they would like to gain from the programme.
it seems most important that those involved in
Of
particular importance is the task of assisting
the organisation of programmes of specified ac-
the client find links between what s/he has found
tivities should find ways of making the cur-
to have been helpful and similar activities or
riculum as unlike that of school as possible and
interests in the wider...
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