Sarah Soppitt

‘Who you gonna call?’ The role of trust and relationships in desistance from crime

Motivation and engagement in desistance programmes are examined in an article that analyses two projects that aimed to ‘normalize lifestyles’ of chaotic offenders. In one of the projects, participants claimed that their engagement was related to the charitable sector of the provider, which meant that staff were outside of the parameters of offender management regimes. However, similar claims were made by participants in the other programme − which was delivered by statutory public sector agencies but by staff operating in different roles to the usual probation service framework. On this basis it is argued that the character, culture and ethos of programmes is of greater significance than their status in terms of third, public or private sectors.

The legitimacy of offender management programmes in a post-TR landscape

Purpose n n n n nThe purpose of this paper is to explore the under-considered perspectives of service users engaged in various community sentences based on a “strengths-based” approach to desistance. Further to recent changes in the sector, the paper considers service user views for programmes delivered by combinations of agencies from private, public and third sectors. n n n n nDesign/methodology/approach n n n n nThe paper is based on analysis of 64 semi-structured interviews with users of four programmes, accompanied with informal fieldwork observations by the researchers as they carried out the research at the premises of service providers. n n n n nFindings n n n n nThe research finds that service user perceptions of the legitimacy of programmes are closely related to their understanding of three key dimensions: first, the “authenticity” of those delivering the service; second, the instrumental (in broad terms) gains they expect from engagement; and third, their understanding of the identity and ethos of the programme. n n n n nOriginality/value n n n n nThe paper adds important understanding based on service user perceptions in a period when service provision is being diversified. Further directions for other research are identified and it is recognised that a limitation of the current study is that it incorporates a sample drawn from one area.

Triage: line or nets? Early intervention and the youth justice system

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a discussion of the value of early diversion schemes, underpinned by the principles of restorative justice (RJ), for First Time Entrants (FTEs) into the criminal justice system (CJS). Design/methodology/approach – The paper focuses specifically on the findings of a 12-month study into the introduction of “Triage” by one Youth Offending Team (YOT) in the northeast of England. Findings – Re-offending data suggested that Triage is more effective in reducing re-offending than conventional justice practices, due to the restorative nature of the scheme. However, the qualitative data raised a number of issues, particularly relating to problems of “net-widening” and the impact of recording processes on young peoples desistance, as well as the role of victim engagement in the process. These issues could undermine the long-term effectiveness of Triage and its successful application within other youth justice contexts. Originality/value – The paper aims to contribut...

Transnational & Comparative Curricular Offerings in U.S. Post-Baccalaureate Programs: Benchmarking a Link from the U.S. to the EU in Homeland Security Education

It is vital that U.S. academic institutions pay heed to the important global challenges that HS academics and practitioners must face. This article finds in an overview of the development of prescriptions for curricular outcomes and competencies for homeland security education in the U.S. that there has been little emphasis on curricular goals in the U.S. of the transnational and global application of homeland security strategies and operations. Transatlantic links in homeland security education between U.S. universities and their counterparts in Europe will be hampered by the virtual lack of explicit academic programs in this field in that continent. An examination of program goals and curricular offerings in U.S. post-baccalaureate programs indicates a modest attempt to provide students some grounding in transnational and global applications of homeland security strategies and operations.