Document type: Reflections from research

Matthew Millings is a Professor of Criminal Justice in the School of Justice Studies at Liverpool John Moores University. He shares his reflections including keeping sight of core probation values and purpose, maintaining the appetite to learn and develop, and recognising the value of probation.

Ursula Kilkelly is a Professor of Law and Vice President Global Engagement at University College Cork (UCC). Her life's scholarship has been in international children's rights law focused on youth justice and detention, access to justice, independent children's rights institutions, and the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Michelle McManus is a Professor in Safeguarding and Violence Prevention and Co-Director of the Institute for Children’s Futures at Manchester Metropolitan University. Michelle’s expertise is in multi-agency safeguarding arrangements, working across systems, people, and organisations to improve responses and make communities safer.

Professor Lesley McAra shares findings of the Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime, a prize-winning longitudinal programme of research on pathways into and out of offending for a cohort of around 4,300 young people. The study’s findings have been utilised in penal reform campaigns and have formed the principal evidence base for a range of youth justice policies in Scotland.

Professor Beth Weaver offers her reflections from research, highlighting the importance of focusing on the person in front of you, staying curious and being open to learning, and looking beyond the confines of contemporary probation practice.

Professor Hazel Kemshall offers her reflections from research, encompassing the need to use risk assessment tools with integrity, reflect on the quality of decision making, and use the most effective risk management techniques.

Professor David Best offers his reflections from research, including the need to make your relationships matter, to effectively engage people with community resources and the importance of patience and tolerance.

Professors Ioan Durnescu and Faye S. Taxman offer their reflections from research, including to establish community corrections as a standalone sanction focused on desistance and rehabilitation, focus on relationship building, culture change, and community support, promote fair and just treatment and invest in individuals, families, communities, and community corrections.

Professor Pamela Ugwudike offers her reflections from research, including to use tools as decision-making guides, ensure that processes are transparent and to participate in regular training.

Professor Fergus McNeill offers his reflections from research, including to focus on reintegration as the primary goal, recognise people in terms of their worth and potential, and to adopt a dialogical approach.