The Changing Role of Probation Hostels: Voices from the Inside
| Author | Dr Carla Reeves |
| Pages | 51-64 |
51
THE CHANGING ROLE OF PROBATION HOSTELS:
VOICES FROM THE INSIDE
Dr Carla Reeves, Centre for Research in the Social Sciences, Department of Behavioural
and Social Sciences, University of Huddersfield
Abstract This paper explores the role and purpose of Probation Approved hostels from the
perspective of residents and hostel staff. Findings are drawn from a case study into the
operation of a Probation Approved hostel and the experiences of those people either
working or residing within the hostel.
The fieldwork was conducted over twenty-one months, including the period that the
National Offender Management Service (NOMS) was introduced. In conjunction with
participant observation within the hostel, comprising informal conversations and
interviews, forty-one semi-structured interviews were undertaken with residents (24) and
staff (17), and twelve Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Committee meetings (MARACs) were
observed.
Key findings are that different levels of staff in the hostel and residents have different
opinions regarding the purpose of hostels. From the talk of respondents it is suggested that
the differences can be accounted for by the levels of work undertaken by respondents. The
significance of this is that some staff groups do not understand the work of their
colleagues, and that residents do not appreciate the purpose of the residency in a hostel.
Keywords Probation, hostel, Approved Premises, offenders, purpose, public protection.
Introduction
Probation Approved Premises (hereafter referred to by their earlier and informal moniker;
hostels) are a small, but vital part of the wider work of the probation service in which high
risk offenders are provided semi-secure accommodation either on release from prison (as
part of release license conditions) or on bail. Currently 100 hostels cater for a wide range
of offenders including both male and female offenders, sexual, drug and violent offenders
(HMI Probation et al. 2008). This paper explores what people either working or residing in
a probation hostel understand the purpose of work in hostels to be.
Background
Recently there has been a wealth of national and regional activity around the provision of
probation hostels: this has included a number of inspections and reviews such as the
British Journal of Community Justice
©2011 Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield
ISSN 1475-
0279
Vol. 9(3): 51-64
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