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“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

G. van Beek (Research Group Working with Mandated Clients, Research Centre for Social Innovation, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands)
Vivienne de Vogel (Research Group Working with Mandated Clients, Research Centre for Social Innovation, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands)
Dike van de Mheen (Tranzo Scientific Center for Care and Wellbeing, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands)

The Journal of Forensic Practice

ISSN: 2050-8794

Article publication date: 27 July 2022

Issue publication date: 27 October 2022

55

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

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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