Robinson, G, Annison, H, Burke, L, Carr, N, Millings, M and Surridge, E Anchors through change: Exploring identity work in the unified Probation Service for England & Wales. British Journal of Criminology. ISSN 0007-0955 (Accepted)

Text Anchors through change Exploring identity work in the unified Probation Service for England & Wales.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (247kB)

Abstract

The Probation Service for England & Wales offers an important case study for those who are interested in the impact(s) of organisational change on workers in criminal justice and, in particular, the identity work that they engage in as they move through frequent iterations of change. In this article we draw on data from an ongoing longitudinal study of probation reform to explore identity work among a mixed sample of practitioner and management grade staff in one of 12 probation regions. Our analysis reveals the significance of both occupational and organisational sources of identification to workers of all grades, but also evidence of dis-identification with aspects of the current organisation. It further reveals the importance of anchors through change in workers’ identities as they navigate paths through successive reforms. These anchors include values, places and structures that are part of probation’s legacy, but which offer a sense of continuity and meaning to workers as they adapt within a turbulent field.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1602 Criminology; 1801 Law; Criminology; 4402 Criminology; 4805 Legal systems
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology > HV7231 Criminal Justice Administrations
Divisions:	Justice Studies (from Sep 19)
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
SWORD Depositor:	A Symplectic
Date Deposited:	04 Feb 2025 13:12
Last Modified:	04 Feb 2025 13:12
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/25534

View Item