The Forgotten Voice: Probation Service Users and Partnerships

Abstract

Throughout the 1990s this journal has featured articles discussing themes and issues related to probation partnerships with the voluntary sector. A missing element and valid perspective in these articles has been the viewpoint of the service user. In seeking to remedy this omission the author draws on her PhD research, which included interviews with 15 probation service users attending partnership projects. An overview of the users'experiences and feelings about being involved in partnerships is provided, as well as a discussion of the key issues which influence the way partnership is both constructed and implemented in relation to service provision for such users.