The Probation Studies Unit
| Published date | 01 June 1996 |
| DOI | 10.1177/026455059604300208 |
| Date | 01 June 1996 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
92
RESEARCH
The
Probation
Studies
Unit
Introduced
by
Andrew
Bridges,
former
member
of
the
Journal’s
Editorial
Board.
Where ?
At
the
University
of
Oxford
Centre
for
Criminological
Research,
12
Bevington
Road,
Oxford
OX2
6LH,
Tel:
01865
274448.
What?
The
PSU
is
an
academically
independent
body
devoted
to
furthering
the
study
of
Probation
and
related
practices.
It
has
the
following
(inter-
related)
study
of
Probation
and
related
practices.
It
has
the
following
(inter-
related)
objectives,
for
such
time
as
it
becomes
resourced
to
full
capacity:
1.
To
bring
together
information
on
Probation
policy
and
practice,
and
related
developments
and
services,
both
in
the
United
Kingdom
and
elsewhere,
and
to
disseminate
critical
appraisals
of
these
developments.
2.
To
carry
out
specific
research
projects
connected
with
Probation
and
related
services
and
to
disseminate
the
findings.
3.
To
organise
annually,
over
a
period
of
two
days,
a
high-level
and
intensive
Colloquium
on
Probation
Studies
to
which
will
be
invited
about
30
participants,
including
senior
practitioners
drawn
from
the
criminal
justice
system,
politicians,
senior
civil
servants
and
academics
from
the
United
Kingdom
and
abroad.
Papers
will
be
prepared
in
advance
and
the
Proceedings
published.
4.
To
make
a
distinctive
contribution
to
Probation
Studies
by
encouraging
research
for
higher
degrees
at
the
doctoral
level
at
Oxford.
5.
To
establish
and
foster
links
with
those
working
in
probation
and
related
fields
in
the
United
Kingdom
and
abroad,
especially
through
creating
opportunities
for
research
and
study
in
Oxford
as
Visiting
Fellows.
When?
Established
in
January
1996,
’launched’
in
March
1996.
Who?
Dr
Ros
Burnett
heads
the
Unit
and
is
accountable
to
Dr
Roger
Hood,
Director
of
the
Centre.
The
first
two
Visiting
Fellows
are
Andrew
Bridges
(ACPO,
Berkshire),
half
time
April -
December
1996,
and
Richard
Thurston
(Senior
Researcher,
Mid
Glamorgan),
full-time
April -
September
1996.
Why?
To
undertake
a
wide-ranging
research
programme,
covering
various
aspects
of
criminological
issues
of
concern
to
Probation
Services.
The
objectives
outlined
above
show
the
full
range
of
potential
purposes.
In
particular,
however,
the
PSU
will
help
take
forward
the
task
of
both
identifying
and
disseminating
’What
Works’
in
terms
of
effective
Probation
practice.
Much
of
this
work
has
been
undertaken
by
many
Probation
Services,
universities
and
other
organisations
but,
with
the
future
of
Probation
teaching
in
universities
thrown
into
doubt
by
the
planned
changes
in
probation
training,
there
was
a
clear
need
for
the
task
to
be
taken
up
by
an
academically
and
rigorously
independent
research
organisation
which
could
comment
on
and
evaluate
developments
in
Probation
practice.
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