Personal profile
Biography
I joined the University of Portsmouth in 2019 having been employed previously as a Probation Officer. I have worked in both the National Probation Service and in a Community Rehabilitation Company which has given me experience with a variety of offender groups. My professional experience included all aspects of community supervision, parole and resettlement, risk management, Court work and delivery of both accredited and non-accredited programmes. I have a particular interest in working with women within the Criminal Justice System and have worked in the design and delivery of female-specific interventions within Probation-led women's centres in locations across Hampshire. I hold a BSc. (Hons) Psychology from the University of Surrey, Roehampton and BA (Hons) Community Justice (Dip. Probation Studies) from the University of Portsmouth. I completed my Masters of Research in Criminology & Criminal Justice at the University of Portsmouth, where I am also studying for my PhD.
Teaching Responsibilities
I am Module Coordinator for the Level 6 Treatment & Rehabilitation of Offenders module. I also teach on a number of campus-based modules including Gender & Crime, Dangerous Offenders and Public Protection at Level 6 and Rehabilitation and Desistance at Level 7. I also teach on a number of Level 4 campus-based modules. I previously taught on the Community Justice Learning framework, for trainee probation officers.
I am Deputy Course Leader for the BSc. (Hons) Criminology & Criminal Justice degree and I am the SCCJ Course Liaison Tutor for the Criminology based Masters of Research awards.
Research Interests
My main research interests are:
- Women in the Criminal Justice System
- Gender Responsivity & Trauma-Informed Practice
- Probation Practice
- Rehabilitation & Desistance
I am also working on research utilising XR technology within probation decision-making
I am currently completing my PhD which is focused upon women’s experiences of whole-system approaches within criminal justice.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 5 Gender Equality
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Creating space for reflection and connection: Learning from the creative arts and the third sector
Walmsley, J. & Haggar, L., 14 Oct 2025, Reflections on Probation: A Companion Resource for Developing Practitioners. Grant, J., Haggar, L. & McDermott, M. (eds.). Policy Press, p. 134-153 20 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
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Extended reality: A new dimension for reflective learning
Haggar, L., McDermott, M. J. L. & Meenaghan, A., 14 Oct 2025, Reflections on Probation: A Companion Resource for Developing Practitioners. Grant, J., Haggar, L. & McDermott, M. (eds.). Policy Press, p. 301-318 18 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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'No choice but to leave': understanding voluntary resignations among probation staff in England and Wales
Haggar, L. & McDermott, M. J. L., 31 May 2025, (Early online) In: The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile96 Downloads (Pure) -
Reflections of female probation practitioners: Navigating the challenges of working with male offenders
McDermott, M. J. L., Haggar, L. & Grant, J., 14 Oct 2025, Reflections on Probation: A Companion resource for Developing Practitioners. Grant, J., Haggar, L. & McDermott, M. (eds.). Policy Press, p. 192-209 18 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
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Reflections on Probation
Grant, J. (Editor), Haggar, L. (Editor) & McDermott, M. J. L. (Editor), 13 Jan 2025, (Accepted for publication) Policy Press.Research output: Book/Report › Book
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An exploration of the reasons that probation staff voluntarily leave the probation service
Haggar, L. (PI) & McDermott, M. (CoI)
1/10/22 → …
Project: Research
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360 immersive technology as a tool for improving risk judgements in probation training
McDermott, M. (PI), Haggar, L. (CoI) & Meenaghan, A. (CoI)
25/04/22 → …
Project: Research
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Prison Leavers Returning Home: An explorative pilot study into the needs, barriers and solutions to easing family reintegration
Scalpello, M. (PI), Stevens, L. (Team Member), McDermott, M. (Team Member) & Haggar, L. (Team Member)
19/06/20 → 31/07/21
Project: Innovation
Activities
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Reflections on Probation
McDermott, M. (Speaker), Haggar, L. (Speaker) & Grant, J. (Speaker)
21 Nov 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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BSC Probation and Community Justice Network
Haggar, L. (Presented paper) & McDermott, M. (Presented paper)
14 Jan 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
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HMPPS Insights 2022
McDermott, M. (Presented paper), Meenaghan, A. (Presented paper) & Haggar, L. (Presented paper)
19 May 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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HMPPS Insights 2022
McDermott, M. (Presented paper), Haggar, L. (Presented paper) & Meenaghan, A. (Presented paper)
16 May 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course