Bedfordshire & Cambridgeshire Pathfinder Bedfordshire & Cambridgeshire Pathfinder
c are piloting the use of Pro Social Modelling and evaluating aspects of placement quality.
The pilot started in April 2000 and covers the whole of each Area. The evaluation includes all cases of 60 hours or more (to allow sufficient time for any measurable impact) working entirely in group placements. The target intake sample of 620 cases was achieved by September 2000 with orders to be completed by November 2001.
Staffing arrangements differ between the two areas. In Bedfordshire a single SPO covers two Community Punishment units, each of which contains one PO manager and a number of CSOs. In Cambridgeshire a single SPO covers four CP units each managed by a senior CSO supported by between one and three CSOs.
The work on Pro Social Modelling builds on a collaborative venture between Cambridgeshire Service and the Institute of Criminology started in 1997 to examine its use in Community Punishment. The project is based on the work of Trotter in Australia which suggested that the supervisory relationship could be used as an opportunity for staff to model and reinforce desired pro social attitudes and behaviours in offenders. The intention is that this will lead to an increase in compliance and a reduction in future offending. It involves areas of practice such as challenging antisocial attitudes and behaviours, ensuring a transparent fairness in the allocation of work and application of rules, explaining both the task in hand and any decisions taken during the work, having a positive attitude to the purpose and work of CP, and respectful attitude to the offenders.
Implementation involved all CP staff being trained in PSM, provided by external trainers through a two day workshop, with additional top up sessions to refresh workers and include staff appointed subsequently. The normal maximum size of work groups has been reduced to eight with a view to enhancing the impact of PSM by increasing the amount of staff contact with offenders.
The project in Cambridgeshire has also been piloting the use of video recording of work groups to assess the application of PSM in practice. This involves the use of portable equipment on location at the beginning and end of sessions – there are no workshop facilities in these projects. An observation checklist has also been used.
Placements are also rated against a checklist to assess the degree to which they have qualities likely to enhance offender compliance and promote pro social attitudes and behaviour and a reduction in future offending. This builds on earlier research done by McIvor in Scotland which indicated beneficial outcomes from placements involving positive contact with beneficiaries, where the offender perceives the work as useful and making use of their aptitudes, and where opportunities are provided to enhance existing skills or acquire new skills.
An interim report on the initial findings of the projects has now been published. Copies of the Executive Summary are available from the NPD e-mail address below. A full evaluation report will be published in March 2002 to report on the findings of all the Community Punishment Pathfinder Projects; with a reconviction analysis following in 2003. Given its initial success the Area will continue to operate Community Punishment on the project model until it is incorporated into a new national framework for CP in the future.
Further information
Martin Scott, Senior
Probation Officer |
01234 350401 |
Chris Mackett, Senior
Probation Officer |
01945 461541 |
Steve Woodgate, Pathfinder
Development Manager, |
020 7217 0684 |
Last update: 15/09/03