Criminal Justice

TSRC is in the process of commencing a two year study, examining the role and involvement of the third sector in the criminal justice system.

The study will examine the strategic position of voluntary and community organisations within the system, the role/s they play, and the barriers and opportunities they face. 

Key questions

• What role does the third sector play in the resettlement of offenders?
• what is the impact of volunteering on empowering offenders and ex-offenders to desist from crime, and form identities of socially valued members of the community?
• What are the barriers that the third and statutory sector face in trying to accommodate each others’ agendas?
• What is the effect of new commissioning strategies on the survival and ethos of the third sector, and its future within the criminal justice system?

Current work
The study is at an embryonic stage. The literature suggests that there are a number of issues to explore, such as the effect of offender volunteering on finding full-time employment and why certain offender groups, such as women, appear to have fewer volunteering opportunities than others.

Next steps
The first stage of the study will consist of interviews with stakeholders in the third sector and criminal justice arena. These will form the basis for subsequent case studies, which will involve criminal justice staff, third sector staff and offenders.

Research contacts
Alice Mills
Rosie Meek
Dina Gojkovic