“It’s Pure Chaos Every Day”: COVID-19 and the work of Canadian federal institutional parole officers

2021 ◽  
pp. 206622032110564
Author(s):  
Mark Norman ◽  
Rosemary Ricciardelli

As the Canadian federal correctional system grappled with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, institutional parole officers, who play a central role in prisoners’ case management team, remained essential service providers. Working in uncertain circumstances, these correctional workers navigated new and rapidly changing protocols and risks, while attempting to continue to provide support to those on their caseloads. Based on semi-structured interviews with 96 institutional parole officers, conducted after Canada’s “first wave” of COVID-19 infections, we analyze three ways in which their work was impacted by the pandemic: shifting workloads, routines, and responsibilities; increased workloads due to decarceration (i.e., efforts to reduce the number of incarcerated individuals); and the navigation of new forms of risk and uncertainty. This study advances the understanding of stress and risk in probation and parole work and presents recommendations to ameliorate the occupational stresses experienced by correctional workers during and beyond COVID-19.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 233339362110281
Author(s):  
Renee Fiolet ◽  
Cynthia Brown ◽  
Molly Wellington ◽  
Karen Bentley ◽  
Kelsey Hegarty

Technology-facilitated abuse can be a serious form of domestic violence. Little is known about the relationship between technology-facilitated abuse and other types of domestic violence, or the impact technology-facilitated abuse has on survivors. The aim of this interpretative descriptive study is to understand domestic violence specialist service providers’ perspectives on the impact of technology-facilitated abuse, and the link between technology-facilitated abuse and other forms of domestic violence. A qualitative approach using 15 semi-structured interviews were undertaken with Australian domestic violence specialist practitioners, and three themes were identified through data coding using inductive thematic analysis. Another form of control describes technology-facilitated abuse behaviors as enacting controlling behaviors using new mediums. Amplifies level of fear characterizes the impact of technology-facilitated abuse. A powerful tool to engage others describes opportunities technology offers perpetrators to abuse through engaging others. Findings highlight technology-facilitated abuse’s complexity and integral role in domestic violence and can assist clinicians to understand the impact and harm that can result from technology-facilitated abuse.


1976 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph J. Senna

While we know a great deal about the practice of probation and parole and about their place in the correctional process, we know virtually nothing about the kind of professional education that is best suited for probation and parole work and we have little information on the extent to which graduate-level opportunities are available. This article re- examines the tasks of probation and parole officers and relates them to the differing academic programs used by such personnel. Data from a na tional survey are used to demonstrate that probation and parole agencies have not supported Professional staff development. A number of ap proaches to improve graduate study for probation and parole officers, at both the agency and the university level, are described. Implementing these suggestions would help to attain the objectives of effective rehabili tation and higher professional status for community correction.


2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Clarke

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the value of the “capability approach” as an alternative framework for understanding and conceptualising the role of Refugee Community Organisations (RCOs) and other providers for groups conventionally considered “hard to reach”. Design/methodology/approach – A study of the education services of RCOs, drawing primarily on semi-structured interviews with 71 users, is put forward as a case study for how the capability approach can be operationalised. Findings – The capability approach is found to offer various valuable insights, relating to its appreciation of the multi-dimensional nature of human wellbeing, the significance of individual diversity, and the importance of human agency. Research limitations/implications – The case study is based on a relatively small purposive sample, and may have limited external validity. As the research design proved strong for exploring how RCOs develop their users’ capabilities but weak for exploring if and how they may also constrict them, further research in this area is required. Practical implications – A number of valuable attributes of the capability approach are highlighted for broadening the understanding, the role of RCOs and other service providers. Social implications – The paper outlines the potential of the capability approach to contribute to policymaking related to RCOs and other providers, and to debates relating to social exclusion, cohesion and integration. Originality/value – The paper draws attention to the value of the capability approach within the field of migration research.


2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 1634-1659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas L. Polcin ◽  
Rachael Korcha ◽  
Jane Witbrodt ◽  
Amy A. Mericle ◽  
Elizabeth Mahoney

The failure of incarceration as a response to drug offenses has resulted in new policies supporting community-based alternatives. One challenge has been finding appropriate housing for persons on probation and parole. Sober living houses (SLHs) are alcohol- and drug-free living environments that are increasingly being used as housing options for these individuals. The current study examined 6- and 12-month outcomes for 330 persons on probation or parole who entered 49 SLHs. Residents in 22 houses ( n = 149 individuals) were randomly assigned to receive a “Motivational Interviewing Case Management” (MICM) intervention and residents in the other 27 houses ( n = 181 individuals) received SLH residency as usual. At 6- and 12-month follow-up, both study conditions showed significant improvement relative to baseline on substance abuse, criminal justice, HIV risk, and employment outcomes. For persons who attended at least one MICM session, there were better criminal justice outcomes compared with the SLH as usual group.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0256743
Author(s):  
Cyril Bennouna ◽  
Hannah Brumbaum ◽  
Molly M. McLay ◽  
Carine Allaf ◽  
Michael Wessells ◽  
...  

Young refugees resettled to the U.S. from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region face significant acculturative stressors, including language barriers, unfamiliar norms and practices, new institutional environments, and discrimination. While schools may ease newcomer adjustment and inclusion, they also risk exacerbating acculturative stress and social exclusion. This study seeks to understand the opportunities and challenges that schoolwide social and emotional learning (SEL) efforts may present for supporting refugee incorporation, belonging, and wellbeing. We completed semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 40 educators and other service providers in Austin, Texas, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Detroit Metropolitan Area, Michigan as part of the SALaMA project. We conducted a thematic analysis with transcripts from these interviews guided by the framework of culturally responsive pedagogy. The findings revealed that students and providers struggled with acculturative stressors and structural barriers to meaningful engagement. Schoolwide SEL also provided several mechanisms through which schools could facilitate newcomer adjustment and belonging, which included promoting adult SEL competencies that center equity and inclusion, cultivating more meaningfully inclusive school climates, and engaging families through school liaisons from the newcomer community. We discuss the implications of these findings for systemwide efforts to deliver culturally responsive SEL, emphasize the importance of distinguishing between cultural and structural sources of inequality, and consider how these lessons extend across sectors and disciplinary traditions.


Author(s):  
Alireza Jabbari ◽  
Nasrin Shaarbafchi Zadeh ◽  
Behrooz Maddahian

Introduction: Performance-based payment is a payment model that attempts to reward the measured dimensions of performance and encourages health service providers to achieve predetermined goals by financial incentives. This study aimed to identify executive challenges of performance-based payment from medical and educational hospitals managers’ perspective and offering solutions in Isfahan 2018. Methods: This study was a qualitative study. Semi structured interviews were used to collect data. The research population was 11 people (the managers of educational and medical hospitals in Isfahan) who were selected purposefully. All interviews were recorded and then written on a paper. The duration of the interviews varied between 45 to 60 minutes. The data were analyzed using MAXQDA120 software and based on thematic analysis. Results: In this study, , regarding executive challenges, seven themes and fifteen sub-themes were obtained, including the weakness of the performance-based payment project, weakness in education and educational support, low employee participation, weakness of information and communication technology, weakness of laws and regulations, unfavorable economic conditions of the public sector, and special conditions governing public hospitals.   Conclusion: performance-based payment, if implemented correctly, can lead to the improvement of quantitative and qualitative indicators related to employees’ performance. Correct implementation requires identifying challenges and obstacles and then corrective actions. This study was able to identify and present some of the operational challenges of the performance-based payment from the viewpoint of hospital managers.


Author(s):  
Fatemeh Tajari ◽  
Ghahraman Mahmoudi ◽  
Fatemeh Dabbaghi ◽  
Jamshid Yazdani-Charati

Background and Purpose: The electronic referral system was established in Iran with the aim of increasing access to care, improving interaction, and efficient use of resources. The purpose of this study was to determine the effective factors in the establishment and implementation of electronic referral system in Iran. Methods: The present study was qualitative with a content analysis approach. In order to collect information, in-depth and semi-structured interviews were used. After interviewing 42 people, the information was saturated. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed, and the main topics were quoted, cited, and coded. The content analysis method was used and all authors participated in the analysis process to avoid bias and agreement. Results: Four main themes and eleven sub-themes were mentioned as effective themes in the implementation of the electronic referral system by the interviewees including resource management (human resource management, financing and equipment, and infrastructure), stewardship (policy-making, inter-sectorial leadership, and intra-sectorial governance), advocacy stakeholders (senior officials and policy-makers related to the program, service providers, community), and social commitment (commitment and accountability of service providers). Conclusions: Successful implementation of electronic referral systems requires the development of an operational plan that correctly identifies the factors affecting the establishment and implementation, as well as the cooperation of all responsible organizations which can help improve the establishment and sustainability of the program. It is suggested that managers and officials active in the field of health services use the results of this study in the establishment and implementation of electronic referral system.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilanjana Sinha ◽  
Himadri Roy Chaudhuri ◽  
Jie G. Fowler ◽  
Sitanath Mazumdar

PurposeThis paper aims to explore authenticity as a multidimensional construct from both consumer and service provider perspectives in the context of culturally themed restaurants in Kolkata, India.Design/methodology/approachUtilizing a phenomenological design, data have been collected through participant observation, photographs and semi-structured interviews in Bengali-themed restaurants over a two-year period.FindingsBy articulating the processes and dimensions that operate behind the narrative of authenticity, the findings display the interaction between market/cultural forces and the perception of authenticity. These reveal that authenticity embraces four major categories, namely, traditional, staged-form, postmodern and constructivist.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides insights into the collective role of both consumers and service providers in mediating perceptions of authenticity. Theoretically, this study contributes to the literature by articulating four dimensions of authenticity.Practical implicationsPractically, this study assists marketers with insights into the balance of authenticity and the commoditization of culture.Originality/valueAs globalization weakens cultural boundaries and jeopardizes regional identities, there is a need for reassuring cultural continuity that upholds ethnic legacy for local consumers. Thus, this study provides theoretical and practical insights for both researchers and practitioners concerned about maintaining authenticity in a global marketplace.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 73-87
Author(s):  
Meytal Fogel -Simhony

Due to the disparities inherent in the role perception of expressive and creative therapists in the Israeli educational system, and the difficulty of fulfilling the role in an optimal manner for all parties involved, this study aims to examine the role perception of the therapist in secondary schools with inclusive education, examining the therapist’s work vis-a-vis the school’s educational staff and its management team.The sample included 11 therapists who have worked in a secondary school for over two years. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Findings of the study indicated a number of significant parameters in the therapist's work vis-à-vis the staff. Moreover, it is evident that the therapist's own role perception is related to the role perception as perceived by the educational and management team. The discussion examines the significance of the disparity between the therapist's role perception and the expectations and perceptions of the staff within the educational system.


2022 ◽  
pp. 095646242110608
Author(s):  
Janice Y. C. Lau ◽  
Ngai-Sze Wong ◽  
Krystal C. K. Lee ◽  
Tsz-Ho Kwan ◽  
Grace C. Y. Lui ◽  
...  

Background Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective means of HIV prevention for men who have sex with men (MSM), a key population whose engagement is crucial for achieving effective public health outcomes. An optimal service model would be important in planning the implementation of PrEP in places where such service has not been established. Methods A qualitative study was conducted to delineate the attributes of an optimal PrEP service model for MSM in Hong Kong, a city where no formal PrEP programs existed. Twenty purposively sampled MSM who were enrollees of two pilot PrEP projects participated in the semi-structured interviews promoting story-telling. The coded data were thematically analyzed following Grounded Theory approach, focusing on uncovering a typology of the essential attributes of an optimal PrEP service model, and the reasons for such preferences. Results Participating MSM were all ethnic Chinese and aged 26 to 52 years. All had received PrEP from pilot projects in conjunction with periodic screening of sexually transmitted infections (STI), HIV antibody, and plasma creatinine. Four major themes emerged as regards the attributes of a preferred PrEP service: (i) comprehensiveness of HIV/STI and safety monitoring; (ii) convenient unitary service; (iii) stigma-free PrEP access and protecting confidentiality; and (iv) affordable price. Whereas regular provision of PrEP was acceptable to MSM, unaffordability and related stigma were the anticipated challenges for potential service providers. Conclusions The qualitative assessment of MSM’s preference for PrEP service delivery has yielded important information on the many facets of a desirable service model.


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