Approaches to support desistance

The work in Avon and Somerset Probation Trust (ASPT) over the past 18 months, has been to encourage, enable and support staff to utilise their skills in effective ways to support the desistance process of the people that they work with.  An integral part of this project has been to increase staff awareness about desistance

Difficulties in using desistance approaches

When undertaking research and expanding ASPT awareness of desistance, I appreciate that it may have been easier for me advocate the desistance principles when not being in a role or having the responsibilities of a role within Offender Management.  Therefore, on the eve of returning to working as a Probation Officer in an Offender Management Team, I find myself reflecting on what difficulties there may be in retaining a desistance focus in this role?

Maintaining desistance in risk management

I previously blogged on 8^th February about “High risk of serious harm and desistance”, but my thoughts in this area have been stirred again after I recently completed the developmental training Risk of harm assessment and management – improving practice.  The focus of the training was looking at discussions to explore approaches to risk and how it could be improved.  This was my first risk practice based training since completing the desistance research and it was interesting to see that some of my perspectives were altered.

Don’t just support desistance, acknowledge it

The 2013 Avon and Somerset Probation Trust (ASPT) staff conference (#ASPT2013 on Twitter), included themes of desistance alongside a strong victim focus.  There is so much to say about desistance from this conference

Final "official" blog of a Desistance Development Officer

Today is the last official day in my role as Desistance Development Officer for Avon and Somerset Probation Trust (ASPT).

Learning from people with convictions

There is consensus within desistance theories that the process is an individual process (McNeill, 2010).  Narrative theories highlight desistance in terms of how each individual perceives themselves and who they are (Maruna, 1997).  With this in mind it would surely make sense to investigate the individual’s experiences of how approaches and interventions have supported or frustrated their own process of desistance.

Is community reintegration possible?

A big part of reintegrating into the community requires the community to accept an individual.  However, there are a number of barriers that make this much more difficult to achieve.