CM2S049 - Understanding the Probation Service 05 Jul 2023 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: CM2S049
Module Title: Understanding the Probation Service
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Policing and Criminology
Faculty Sub Group: Post Compulsory Education
Module Leader: Rachel Brown, Daniel Welch
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2022 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 05 Jul 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

To consider critically the extent, nature and competing explanations of offending by adults
To consider critically developments in the management of individuals who have offended in the community, with particular reference to the National Probation Service, the Community Rehabilitation Companies and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service
To consider critically the appropriateness, effect and effectiveness of criminal justice interventions with adults
To consider critically the aims, purposes and values of probation agencies and others involved in supervision within the community

Content Summary

This module critically engages students with the criminological and criminal justice theories relevant to adults who commit crime. It covers the response of government to such crime, focusing on the recent history and contemporary situation of probation services in England and Wales. It is likely to be of interest to students interested in working with adult offenders in the community.
History of the probation service:

Nothing Works


The 1991 Criminal Justice Act National Standards

What Works

The new penality and emergence of risk


Managerialism and the National Probation Service for England and Wales


The road to Transforming Rehabilitation The work of the Probation Service Assessment and reports to courts


The probation order and the community order Compliance, enforcement and breach Working with high risk groups and individuals


Working with vulnerable groups and individuals Working with minority groups and individuals ‘Fixing’ the individual or society

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Practical classes and workshops 32
Fieldwork 16
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 20
Problem / challenge based learning 40
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate understanding of the aims, purposes and practices of probation and offender management and develop cogent arguments in relation to probation and offender management and related social policy issues.
LO2 Understand and critically analyse the main ideas, themes and discourses that underpin competing understandings and policy responses to offending behaviour by adults.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Presentation (Asynchronous) 1 A presentation whereby students will discuss the skills used within the probation service. 15 N/A 50 No 40
Synchronous Online Oral Assessment Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Online) 1 A VIVA based assessment whereby students engage in a practical hydra exercise and then complete a professional discussion shortly afterwards to reflect on this experience and discuss the case. 15 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Presentation (Asynchronous) 1
Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Online) 1

Reading List

1 Canton, R. (2011) Probation: working with offenders. Abingdon: Routledge

2 Deering, J. & Feilzer, M. Y. (2015) Privatising Probation: is Transforming Rehabilitation the end of the probation ideal? Bristol: Policy Press

3 Kemshall, H. (2003) Understanding Risk in Criminal Justice. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

4 Ministry of Justice (2013) Transforming Rehabilitation, A revolution in the way we manage offenders. London: Ministry of Justice.

5 Raynor, P. (2012) ‘Community penalties, probation and offender management’, in M. Maguire, R. Morgan & R. Reiner (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Criminology, 5th ed. Oxford: OUP


6 Vanstone, M. (2004) Supervising Offenders in the Community: a history of probation theory and practice. Aldershot: Ashgate.

7 Vanstone, M. & Priestley, P. (eds) (2016) Probation and Politics. Academic reflections from former practitioners. London: Palgrave Macmillan

8 Canton, R. (2011) Probation: working with offenders. Abingdon: Routledge