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'Penal drift' and the voluntary sector

Corcoran

Authors



Abstract

This paper explores the concept of ‘penal drift’ - the gradual adoption of criminal justice culture, language and working practices - in voluntary sector organisations (VSOs) commissioned to deliver services to offenders. It identifies increases in coerced attendance, obligations to report non-compliance, targets to reduce re-offending, and contracts to ‘process’ high caseloads, as factors behind such drift, which can jeopardise relationships with service users and the sector’s traditional ‘value-driven’ approach. It is concluded that most VSOs have so far managed to resist these threats and to balance contractual obligations with adherence to core values. However, this comes at a cost in staff time and energy and is difficult to sustain. There are concerns that the longer term effects may be quite damaging to the sector.

Acceptance Date Jan 30, 2019
Publication Date Sep 4, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Howard Journal of Crime and Justice
Print ISSN 2059-1098
Pages 430-449
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/hojo.12307
Keywords voluntary sector, offender management, criminalisation of social policy, penal drift, transforming Rehabilitation
Publisher URL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/20591101