Racism and Anti-Racism in Probation

215 Pages·1992·0.77 MB·English

by  David Denney

Racism and anti-racism
in probation

Racism and anti-racism in probation analyses the complex processes
through which black people are differentially treated by the probation
service. Focusing on the use of language in probation practice, David
Denney shows how subjective judgements made by probation officers
can be given a quasi-scientific quality within the criminal justice system
and are often used to justify sentencing practice. In particular, the
underlying assumptions and perceptions of probation officers in relation
to race are crucial in understanding the nature of the service offered to
black offenders.
Drawing on ethnographical material and on his own wide experience
of probation work, David Denney demonstrates how probation officers
exercise power in a subjective manner, through judgements given verbally
to the courts and in written reports. The process through which these are
constructed and transmitted in a form acceptable to sentencers has a
fictional quality, with clearly framed linguistic entrances, exits and
interventions, all governed by a code of esoteric conventions unknown to
the offender. All offenders are to some extent caught up in these processes,
but Denney argues that black people are frequently unable or unwilling to
be described and explained within the discourses of probation. He presents
compelling evidence to suggest that some forms of probation practice can
serve to discriminate against black people.
Through the analysis of this evidence and constructive criticism of
current government policy, Denney is able to offer positive suggestions for
improved probation practice with black offenders. He looks at the
implications of recent changes in penal policy on the development of
probation work with black people and considers anti-racist training and
future practice developments in the light of current government thinking.
His book will be specially valuable to probation officers in training, as
well as to students of criminology, magistrates, lawyers, the police, and
prison officers.
David Denney worked as a probation officer in Birmingham and London,
and is now Senior Lecturer in Social Administration at the Roehampton
Institute of Higher Education, London.

Racism and anti-racism
in probation
David Denney
London and New York
First published in 1992
by Routledge
11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE

This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2004.

Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
a division of Routledge, Chapman and Hall, Inc.
29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001

© 1992 David Denney
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical,
or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including
photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval
system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is
available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Denny, David.
Racism and anti-racism in probation/David Denney.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Probation—England. 2. Discrimination in criminal
justice administration—England. I. Title.
HV9346.A5D46 1992
364.6´3´0942–dc20 92–2795

ISBN 0-203-16798-8 Master e-book ISBN

ISBN 0-203-26306-5 (Adobe eReader Format)
ISBN 0-415-06156-3 (Print Edition)
0-415-06157-1 (pbk)
Contents

List of tables and figures vi
Acknowledgements viii
Introduction 1
1 Race, racism and the probation service 7
2 Explanations for offending: the perceptions
of probation officers 40
3 Social-work practice with black and white
offenders 84
4 Language, power and convention 117
5 Racism, anti-racism and probation policy 137
6 Anti-racist directions in probation practice
and training 158
Appendix 177
Notes 185
Bibliography 187
Index 197
Tables and figures
Tables
1.1 To show previous literature and findings 8
2.1 Explanations for offending behaviour 42
2.2 Explanations for offending in social-enquiry
reports 43
2.3 Explanations for offending in part b records 44
2.4 Explanations for offending in part c records 45
2.5 To show comparative frequency of
explanations for offending 46
2.6 To show the number of explanations for offending
behaviour occurring three or more times for black
and white subjects 47
Figures
2.1 To show cyclical form of explanation in
relation to white crime 53
2.2 Conventional pathways to offending 62
3.1 To show conventional representation of
events in relation to shop-lifting 87
3.2 To show arguments used in assessments 99
Tables and figures vii
3.3 To show how assessment links with
practice problems 109
4.1 To show basic premise of discourse
analysis 121
4.2 To show sequence of discursive units 126
4.3 To show appreciative and correctional
codes in probation practice 134
Acknowledgements

A book such as this owes much to the collaboration and support of
others. The research upon which it is based would not have been
possible without the cooperation of Laketown Probation Service.
Permission was sought and granted by the Chief Probation Officer
of Laketown to publish these findings anonymously. Their
understandable desire for anonymity means that the officers and those
with whom they are working cannot be named individually, but I
am grateful to each one of them for their openness and time.
I am also indebted to Brian Munday and Jean Hardy who in
examining my Ph.D. thesis provided some useful comments which
are incorporated in this book.
Mono Chakrabati, Margaret Dempsey, David Divine, Don Naik,
Phil de Souza and other members of the National Steering Group on
the Teaching of Race and Anti-Racism in the Personal Social Services
have enabled me to believe that what I was attempting was
worthwhile when my motivation was flagging.
John Eade, Steven Groarke and other colleagues at the
Roehampton Institute listened and provided thoughtful help.
One of the major rewards that came from conducting this research
was the opportunity to learn from Vic George, who was always
available to offer analysis, advice and friendship. Such a brief
acknowledgement cannot convey the international respect that Vic
has earned for producing outstanding academic work that powerfully
draws attention to human suffering.
Finally, I dedicate this book to Shirin Denney, who despite
commitment to a demanding job has contributed her endless practical
and intellectual energy.
With the help of all these people I have attempted to focus upon
Acknowledgements ix
an aspect of the complex injustice that oppresses the daily lives of
black people.
Responsibility for the final text is mine alone.
David Denney
November 1991