Research and consultancy
Researching community and criminal justice
Our goal is to be a high quality provider of research and evaluation in the criminal and community justice sector, both in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, to disseminate findings, encourage research for higher degrees and establish networks with those working in community justice to support research and consultancy.
We have developed experience and expertise across a broad range of themes, including research into
- the resettlement and employment, education and training needs of women offenders
- the civil renewal agenda in policing
- the relationship between the correctional services and the voluntary/community sector
- the effectiveness of offender treatment programmes
- the role of Police Community Support Officers
- the impact of government funding initiatives on the voluntary and community sector
- pioneering peer research methods in our work with women and two major reports have been produced 'Moving Mountains' and 'I aint no Tea Lady'
We have a particular expertise in and commitment to the following
- empowering research and evaluation methodologies
- developing and delivering 'peer' research methodologies
- research and evaluation with marginalised groups
- research and evaluation in prison settings
- collaborating with both statutory and voluntary sector agencies
Current areas of research
- women offenders
- resettlement, VCS offenders
- knowledge management and transfer
- learning and teaching in CJ
- domestic violence
- drugs
- policing and civil renewal
- criminal justice system/processes
- community safety
- peer research
Women into Work Research
A large scale peer research project to identify barriers to employment, training and education for women (ex)offenders. The research was conducted in collaboration with Supporting Others through Volunteer Action (SOVA). Here we trained women (ex)offenders to conduct research with their peers. 346 women were interviewed in total, 70 per cent of whom were serving prisoners. The findings of this research culminated in the 'Moving Mountains' research report
Women into Work pilot project evaluations
A large scale evaluation of five pilot projects which were commissioned by SOVA in direct response to the research outlined above. All projects aimed to support women in accessing and sustaining appropriate employment, training and education. The findings of all five evaluations can be accessed in the publications section.
Consultancy
In addition to a broad based research portfolio the HCCJ has undertaken consultancy in the following areas
- the relationship between the correctional services and the voluntary/community sector
- the professional development needs of the community justice sector
- the regional resettlement agenda
- knowledge management and the criminal justice sector
For more information on what we can offer through our consultancy services, please contact us.
