NCJ Number
161189
Date Published
1996
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This analysis of the crime prevention role of the probation service in England and Wales concludes that political as well as practical issues must be addressed before further development of this crime prevention role can take place.
Abstract
Since 1984, crime prevention has been part of the function of the probation service. The service has most often pursued crime prevention in collaboration with other agencies, and the interagency dimension has now become an established prerequisite of effective crime prevention. The experience of the Kirkholt Project demonstrates the issues and constraints involved in collaborative crime prevention projects. This project began as a burglary prevention demonstration project funded by the Home Office. The initial concept included situational crime prevention led by the police and social measures led by the probation service. Although the situational measures were implemented, the social strategies did not materialize due to inadequate communications and other measures. The Kirkholt experience demonstrates the importance of communications in interagency collaboration and within the probation organization. Further issues include the meaning of crime prevention itself, the impact of the politics of crime prevention, and the need for evaluation. Finally, although crime prevention is the focus of probation work, serious concerns exist about the ability of probation officers to prevent crime. The probation service should realistically examine its frequently disadvantaged position in collaborations and establish principles and practices to counter this while adhering to core values and purposes. 34 references