“The moment he realized he needed our joint assistance made the difference”: a multiple case study into working elements in the supervision of probation clients with debt
The Journal of Forensic Practice
ISSN: 2050-8794
Article publication date: 27 July 2022
Issue publication date: 27 October 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Little is known about effective supervision of offenders with debt. This multiple case study aims to gain insight into working elements in offender supervision on debt. This is important for probation officers to choose the most effective interventions in daily offender supervision.
Design/methodology/approach
This study included five best practice cases based on both interviews with involved professionals and clients and client file information. One case was described in detail to illustrate what probation officers and clients encounter when working on debt. All five cases were analyzed thematically using pattern matching techniques and crosscase syntheses on debt background, current supervision, barriers and working elements.
Findings
Organization processes and lack of aftercare hinder effective supervision. Close collaboration with other professionals (e.g. debt counselors) is important in supervising clients with debt. The client’s own behavior and motivation for supervision are crucial in the success of debt supervision and can be both hindering and effective. Working elements in supervision depend on personal characteristics of professionals involved and on the extent to which elements of a working alliance, particularly trust and bonding, are built.
Practical implications
Support and facilitation from probation organizations regarding primary conditions and collaboration, training professionals in methods of stimulating clients motivation and an effective working alliance are essential to supervise clients with debt adequately.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no other in-depth study has yet been conducted on working elements in supervision of probationers with debt.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Dutch probation services for their participation in this research project and permission to use data and the professionals and clients for their willingness to participate in the interviews for the case study. The authors would also like to thank the steering committee of this project for its invaluable feedback during the research process.Declaration of conflicting interests: The authors declare no relevant or material financial interests relating to the research described in this paper.
Citation
Beek, G.v., de Vogel, V. and van de Mheen, D. (2022), "“The moment he realized he needed our joint assistance made the difference”: a multiple case study into working elements in the supervision of probation clients with debt", The Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 24 No. 4, pp. 376-389. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-01-2022-0002
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited