G543 - Alternatives To Imprisonment - Mair And May Flashcards
What method was used?
A survey using a questionnaire
Who was the questionnaire piloted by?
7 offices and 24 offenders
What happened before it was given to the final sample?
It was improved
How many offenders were selected at random to take part in the study? How many probation offices? From where
- 22 probation offices across England and Wales
What were the offenders selected to be representative of?
All crimes and age groups
What % failed to take part for various reasons? So therefore who was over represented? And what had to be employed?
40%. The smaller offices. Corrective weighting
Who were the questionnaires conducted by?
Independently employed researchers
What type of questions were asked in the questionnaires?
Questions about offenders’ lives as well as their likelihood of reoffending
What type of responses did questions utilise? Otherwise what type of responses were there?
Likert scale responses. Closed, multiple choice questions
What % of the sample thought that probation was “extremely” or “very” useful?
88%
What did over 60% of the sample feel?
The probation officer would help the to sort out problems
What % of the sample thought that probation would help them stop reoffending?
37%
What seems to be the most useful function of the probation officer?
Having someone independent to talk to
What were some of the topics discussed with probation officers?
Things to do, problems with accommodation, problems with money, employment etc
What does this survey confirm? So what was the majority of the probation officer’s time spent doing?
Previous research which shows that those on probation tend to be unemployed, on benefits, poorly qualified and in poor health.
Discussing these problems
