NCJ Number
189256
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: 2001 Pages: 41-51
Date Published
2001
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Those working in bail and probation hostels, small residential facilities that are part of the criminal justice system in Great Britain are potentially a high-risk group for violence in the workplace.
Abstract
A hostel can be described as a semi-penal institution because it imposes certain restrictions on the liberty of residents. The hostels’ officially defined role is to provide an enhanced level of residential supervision, with the aim of protecting the public by reducing the likelihood of offending. Those subject to residential supervision include individuals awaiting trial, offenders subject to probation orders with a condition of residence, and individuals released from prison on license. Interviews with all levels of hostel staff found a particular difficulty of managing security. One of the most significant reforms to promote that security is the introduction of double cover, but to be effective this must be coupled with additional resources to allow the rota to be covered 24 hours a day by properly trained permanent staff. Situational crime prevention measures have a key role to play, but they should not be perceived as a panacea and care should be taken to balance their usage with the protection of individual rights. This is a particular problem in hostels that accommodate women, because some threats to security stem from men trying to get in. Also important is purpose-built accommodation, so that security can be considered at the planning stage, or at least of appropriate adaptation and maintenance of existing hostels. Adequate training for staff and appropriate procedures within hostels for minimizing the potential for incidents to occur are also needed. 29 notes.