Know This: Research and knowledge sharing briefing (edition 6)
Our ‘Know This’ briefings are a regular note to alert colleagues to recent discussions happening in the sectors relevant to our work. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of major changes and developments in our sectors. If you see anything you think needs to be in a future bulletin, let us know at PracticeResearchUnit@interventionsalliance.co.uk and we will include it in the next edition.
HMPPS new chief executive
Former MoJ chief operating officer James McEwen takes over today (October 13th) as the next head of HM Prison and Probation Service. James is the permanent successor to Amy Rees, who has subsequently been appointed as chief executive at Homes England.
- You can also find out more about Amy Rees’ new appointment here
Naming and shaming people under probation supervision completing community sentences
Ministers are pushing through powers to photograph, name and shame people who have been ordered to complete unpaid community work in England and Wales. The sentencing bill will for the first time give Probation Officers “a legal power” to take and publish the names and pictures of individuals undertaking such work.
IA Colleagues: This announcement has had a notably unfavourable response from many of us who work in CJ fields, and beyond. This is one to watch given we know all too well the negative impact of shame on pathways towards desistance.
- A Guardian article can be found here and a thoughtful response by a law firm partner on how such a move ‘undermines rehabilitation’ (read here)
New reports
Trans segregation in practice: Experiences of trans segregation following the Supreme Court ruling
A new report has been released by campaigning organization TransActual. Following the Supreme Court earlier this year, the authors argue, it is becoming increasingly clear that the exclusion of trans people from society has begun. The report showcases testimonies from individuals, both cis and trans, who have been deeply affected by the ruling. It documents just some of the ways that trans people face increased discrimination in the wake of the ruling and the publication of the draft EHRC guidance.
- You can find a link to the report here
Importantly, of course, this has implications for the individuals we support and work with, and we are seeing its impact in the criminal justice system, particularly in the ongoing political focus on the housing of trans women in the prison estate.
Reframing Masculinity for Young Men and Boys: We’re in This Together
This new report by Sophie King-Hill (University of Birmingham) aimed at parents, carers, educators, youth workers, and professionals who support boys and young men, rethinks and expands what masculinity means. It explores how boys experience masculinity, relationships, mental health, and online culture.
IA Colleagues: An important read not only because the subject matter affects the work we do at IA, but because of the pervasive sociological shifts we have seen in attitudes towards women and girls in the past few years.
- You can find a link to the report here
- Many themes align with ones in our own research into men who perpetrate violence and abuse towards their female partners – if you are interested in this, here is the link to our summary report (here)
Articles
Neurodiversity for justice-involved people
Autistic people within forensic psychiatric services and the criminal justice system: A systematic review – Chester et al.
Understanding autism prevalence within the Criminal Justice System and forensic settings has implications for identifying clinical/forensic needs, planning responses, potentially improving outcomes. This systematic review aimed to synthesise studies investigating autism prevalence within CJS/forensic cohorts, and the prevalence of CJS/forensic involvement in autistic cohorts.
- You can find a link to the full text article here
Special edition of Prison Service Journal
This special edition of the PSJ contains articles on topics, including:
- The experience of prison by individuals with ND
- Screening for ND traits
- Learning from lived experience
- You can find a link to the special edition here
The experiences of women in abusive intimate relationships with serving police officers in England and Wales
This article presents qualitative findings from a small-scale exploratory study exploring how police-perpetrated domestic abuse is experienced from the perspective of the intimate partner.
This article particularly resonated with me as I (Kerry) have recently interviewed a survivor whose perpetrator was a serving police officer, and the fear of what exposure might bring in terms of further harm was immense.
- You can find the article here
- Some related research happening at the University of Bristol here: Powerful Perpetrators – ERC/UKRI project led by Dr Natasha Mulvihill, University of Bristol, UK.
Probation and Parole in Europe
A new article on European research on supervisory sanctions.
IA colleagues: Our close relationship with the Confederation of European Probation means that it is doubly useful for us to keep aware of what is going on in probation amongst our European neighbours. I couldn’t access it myself but for colleagues who are interested get in touch directly with Fergus McNeill.
Film, television and Theatre
Bad Lads
Bad Lads, a play written by Mike Kenny, from a story by Jimmy Coffey and the testimonies of men held at the Medomsley youth detention centre in the early 60s to the mid-80s, is touring right now. The play draws on the brutal ordeals faced by countless young men, translated into one single fictitious character in the 1980s. No doubt a tough watch, but an important one.
- The play is being performed in Newcastle, Liverpool, Plymouth, Bristol and Bath (and a few other places) check here for details
- A link to the piece about the play is here and a link to a Guardian story on Medomsley can be found here
Undercover in the Police
This documentary showcases secret filming by Panorama revealing evidence of racism, misogyny and officers using unnecessary force at one of London’s busiest police stations, Charing Cross.
IA Colleagues: This is an important watch, particularly given parts show police officer indifference and disbelief towards claims of domestic violence.
- The documentary is on iPlayer (link here)
To Catch a Stalker
Finally, if you have not yet seen it, look out for the short series To Catch a Stalker – also available on iPlayer. At a recent event organised by Michael Baker and Micaela Joannou, the producer of the programme – Irene Carter – came to talk to us about her experience making the documentary. The programme reminds us of the central importance of the victim experience in behaviour change work – a worthwhile watch for all of us interested in how to create and promote positive change.