In this episode, we examine public protection and Serious Further Offences (SFOs). Dr Andy Williams and Emeritus Professor Mike Nash discuss the challenges of managing individuals assessed as posing a high risk of serious harm, exploring how political pressures and organisational contexts shape probation practice. They highlight the importance of professional curiosity, reflective practice, and inter‑agency collaboration in effective public protection work.

The episode also features Dr Dominic Pearson, who shares findings from his research on SFO reviews, examining what they reveal about accountability, organisational learning, and how probation can better support improvement rather than blame.

This episode offers a thoughtful and evidence‑informed look at the complexities of public protection and risk management and is essential listening for PQiPs, probation practitioners, and anyone interested in serious harm prevention in community justice.

Probation Perspectives: Insights into Community Justice is a podcast exploring the world of probation, rehabilitation, and community justice. Hosted by Megan Thomas and Ceri Halfpenny from the University of Portsmouth, this series delves into key issues affecting probation practice, featuring expert insights, research, and real-world experiences.

Chapters

00:00 Intro to Probation Perspectives

02:02 Defining Public Protection

04:11 The Politics of Public Protection

08:00 The History of Public Protection Agenda

12:04 Learning from Serious Further Offence Reviews

18:01 The Role of Professional Curiosity

21:56 Improving Practice in Probation

25:46 Key Learning Points from SFO Inquiries

32:39 Understanding Modern Probation Workload Challenges

36:20 Key Readings for Trainees in Probation

38:04 Reflective Exercises for Trainees

41:36 Insights from Empirical Research on SFOs

46:22 The Role of Reflective Practice in Risk Management

51:26 Influencing Outcomes in High-Risk Cases

54:05 Building Confidence in Managing High-Risk Cases

57:12 The Importance of Offender Perspectives in Reviews

01:00:07 Final Reflections on Risk Management and Practice

Show notes and readings

We’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made Probation Perspectives: Insights into Community Justice possible.

• Freddie Hunt – Podcast producer

• Jill Dealey – Podcast development and content support

• Lauren Meredith – Logo and jingle development

• Jenn Grant & Michelle McDermott – Management and support

• All of our guests for sharing their expertise and experience

Here are the readings that were referred to in the episode:

Ansbro, M. (2010). The nuts and bolts of risk assessment: When the clinical and actuarial conflict. The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, 49(3), 252-268. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2311.2010.00614.x

Harrison, K. (2012). Dangerousness, risk and the governance of serious sexual and violent offenders. Routledge.

Kemshall, H. (2008). Understanding the management of high-risk offenders. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).

Nash, M. (1999). Police, probation, and protecting the public. London: Blackstone.

Nash, M. (2006). Public protection and the criminal justice process. Oxford University Press.

Nash, M., & Williams, A. (2008). The anatomy of serious further offending. Oxford University Press.

Nash, M., & Williams, A. (Eds.). (2010). Handbook of public protection. Willan

Nash, M. & Williams, A. (2024) Politics and Public Protection. Emerald Publishing Limited.

Pearson, D. A., & Carey, G. (2025). Independent serious case reviews relating to serious further offences since 2005: A thematic review. Probation Journal, 02645505241301012.

Pearson, D., & Molino, D. (2025). Probation staff reflective practice: Can it impact on outcomes for clients with personality difficulties? In J. Grant, L. Haggar, & M. McDermott (Eds.), Reflections on probation: A companion resource for developing practitioners (pp. 44–62). Policy Press.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr Sarah Waite and Dr Alexandria Bradley from Leeds Beckett University to discuss their research on women’s problem‑solving courts and women’s experiences of the criminal justice system. They explore what makes these courts distinct, why gender‑responsive approaches matter, and how communication, meaningful participation, and strengths‑based, trauma‑informed practice can support positive engagement and change for women in contact with probation.

This thoughtful and evidence‑led episode highlights what women’s problem‑solving courts can teach us about better supporting women in contact with probation, offering valuable insights for PQiPs, practitioners, and anyone interested in developing more responsive and humane justice practices.

Probation Perspectives: Insights into Community Justice is a podcast exploring the world of probation, rehabilitation, and community justice. Hosted by Megan Thomas and Ceri Halfpenny from the University of Portsmouth, this series delves into key issues affecting probation practice, featuring expert insights, research, and real-world experiences.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro to Probation Perspectives

02:04 Trauma-Informed & Gender-Responsive Practices

05:02 Exploring Problem-Solving Courts

09:47 Environment's Role in Court Experiences

15:06 Probation Officers & Women's Centres

20:00 Effective Communication in Courts

24:53 Collaboration for Better Outcomes

30:08 Reflective Practice Importance

35:13 Final Thoughts & Recommendations

Show notes and readings:

We’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made Probation Perspectives: Insights into Community Justice possible.

• Freddie Hunt – Podcast producer

• Jill Dealey – Podcast development and content support

• Lauren Meredith – Logo and jingle development

• Jenn Grant & Michelle McDermott – Management and support

• All of our guests for sharing their expertise and experiences

Here are the details of the resources and readings that were referred to within the episode:

Padmanabhan, K. (2025). Thinking Intersectionally about State Power and Resistance in the Breddon Women’s Center in England. Social Politics: International Studies in Gender, State & Society, jxaf061.

Waite, S., & Rutter, N. (Eds.). (2026). Women, Relationships & Criminal Justice: The Personal and Professional. Policy Press.

Listening to Women, Learning for Justice: A Time to Reflect and Reimagine | Leeds Beckett University Co-authored by Dr Sarah Waite and Dr Alexandria Bradley

In this episode, we are joined by Jennifer Walmsley, Co‑Director of BearFace Theatre, a Hampshire‑based organisation working exclusively in the local area through applied theatre. BearFace’s work supports people on probation, women in the justice system, and criminal justice practitioners within Hampshire. Jennifer discusses how creative and participatory theatre approaches can open up new ways of understanding identity, agency, and change. The conversation explores how creativity can support desistance, build confidence and resilience, and create space for reflection, not only for people on probation, but also for the practitioners who work alongside them.

This inspiring episode shines a light on the human side of rehabilitation and the value of locally rooted, creative practice. It invites PQiPs, probation practitioners, and local justice professionals to consider how creativity can support meaningful change and help people imagine more positive futures.

Probation Perspectives: Insights into Community Justice is a podcast exploring the world of probation, rehabilitation, and community justice. Hosted by Megan Thomas and Ceri Halfpenny from the University of Portsmouth, this series delves into key issues affecting probation practice, featuring expert insights, research, and real-world experiences.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Probation Perspectives

02:01 Jennifer Walmsley's Journey into Applied Theatre

06:41 Understanding Applied Theatre in Probation Settings

11:31 The Role of Creativity in Desistance

14:39 Transformative Moments in Creative Activities

20:16 Supporting Probation Practitioners through Creativity

26:07 Reflection, Self-Care, and Vicarious Trauma in Practice

36:06 Cultural Shifts for Better Rehabilitation

Show notes and readings:

We’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made Probation Perspectives: Insights into Community Justice possible.

• Freddie Hunt – Podcast producer

• Jill Dealey – Podcast development and content support

• Lauren Meredith – Logo and jingle development

• Jenn Grant & Michelle McDermott – Management and support

• All of our guests for sharing their expertise and experiences

Here are the details of the resources and readings that were referred to within the episode:

Bearface theatre website - https://www.bearfacetheatre.org/

Brene Brown - details about her books and podcasts on this website https://brenebrown.com/

Maté, G. (2022). The myth of normal: Trauma, illness and healing in a toxic culture. Knopf Canada.

Walmsley, J., & Haggar, L. (2025). Creating space for reflection and connection: learning from the creative arts and the third sector. In Reflections on Probation (pp. 134-154). Policy Press.

Waite, S., & Rutter, N. (Eds.). (2026). Women, Relationships & Criminal Justice: The Personal and Professional. Policy Press.

National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance website: https://artsincriminaljustice.org.uk/

Geece Theatre Handbook, details available here: https://www.geese.co.uk/the-geese-handbook/

Kasia Urbaniak (2021) Unbound: A Woman’s Guide to Power. Penguin

Thompson, J. (2012) Applied Theatre, Bewilderment and Beyond. Peter Lang