NCJ Number
158767
Date Published
1993
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The self-directed group work program established by the probation service for working with young male offenders at the Lowdham Grange Youth Custody Center achieved its goals during its first 18 months; although this initiative has ended, the agencies involved as well as probation workers and their supervisors support the establishment of self- directive group work as a central component of contact with inmates.
Abstract
The first open meeting took place in October 1987 after 8 months of planning. Between 30 and 40 people came. The worker team consisted of two women and four men. They had established group work principles of working on issues the young men identified as important, in partnership with the offenders, with encouragement of individual responsibility for actions and decisions, with attention to eliminating racism and sexism, and with regular assessments of the work being done. The participants tended to focus on worries related to their release, but they also looked at concerns within the institution. They were also concerned about racism and sexism. Each session was reviewed at the end to ensure that the group was operating in a way that the members found most useful. Factors such as a lack of management support and the reluctance of some probation teams in Nottingham to look at the issues raised by the group work practice led to the program's closing in January 1989. Although some issues may need resolution before the program could be introduced in the probation service, this interagency model deserves to influence future policy and practice.