The provision of pre-sentence advice to the criminal courts has been an important part of the work of probation staff in England & Wales since the late 19th century. However, this is an area of probation work which has not received any serious academic attention for several decades. This article presents findings from an ethnographic study of probation work in two English Magistrates’ courts which was conducted in 2017.
An article by Gwen Robinson, University of Sheffield, UK (g.j.robinson@sheffield.ac.uk)
It argues that in the last few years, major (but separate) policy changes affecting both the criminal courts and probation services have, in combination, brought about significant changes to the speed and nature of pre-sentence probation work. This is nowhere more evident than in the production of pre-sentence reports, which are today mostly prepared on the day of request and delivered orally (rather than as a written report) in the courtroom. Contemporary probation work in the English Magistrates’ courts, it is argued, bears all the hallmarks of a process of ‘McDonaldization’ as described by the sociologist George Ritzer (1993). The research found that all four dimensions of McDonaldization described by Ritzer – efficiency, calculability, predictability and control – were clearly evident in the organisation and practice of pre-sentence probation work, and each of these dimensions is discussed and illustrated.
Gwen is currently working on another article which will explore how probation practitioners in court teams are experiencing the process of ‘McDonaldization’. Taking his lead from Max Weber, Ritzer suggested that McDonaldized workplaces may be experienced in a variety of ways: as an oppressive ‘iron cage’ from which there is no escape; as a ‘rubber cage’, the bars of which can be stretched to allow for a degree of escape; or even as a ‘velvet cage’ which offers comfort through its predictability and ritualized procedures.
Click on the link to read the full article “Delivering McJustice? The Probation Factory at the Magistrates’ Court” .
Keep up to date with the latest developments, stories, and updates on probation from across Europe and beyond. Find relevant news and insights shaping the field today.
Interventions Alliance has published a new evaluation of a Hub coordinated on behalf of police forces in the south of England, focused on tackling violence against women and children through a whole family approach. The Hub supports victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse and works across policing, health and social services.
New updates from the European Commission highlight key priorities for judicial training in Europe, alongside new tools supporting transparency and access to data.
Today, 25 November, marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls. It is a global reminder, recognised by UNESCO and the wider international community, of the urgent need to prevent violence, support those affected by it, and strengthen collective action. The day also opens the 16 Days of Activism, a worldwide campaign that calls for sustained engagement to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
From 18-20 November 2025, 15th Plenary Meeting of the Council for Penological Co-operation took part in Council of Europe, Strasbourg. CEP was represented by President Annie Devos, Vice-Presidents Danijela Mrhar Prelic (PC-CP member) and Daniel Danglades and Secretary General Jana Spero Kamenjarin.
The CEP Expert Group on Mental Health met on 19 November 2025 to continue its work on developing a European mental health training curriculum for probation officers. Since last year, the group has been working intensively and meticulously to produce a solid first version of the curriculum.
CEP has released the first cross-European study examining stress, burnout, and morale among probation staff. The report was produced by Professor Charlie Brooker, Professor Karen Tocque, Professor Ioan Durnescu and Liliana Lupsica, whose combined expertise in public health, criminology, and organisational analysis provides an important contribution to our understanding of well-being in probation work.
