Risk management in open prisons: a critical analysis and research agenda

Gary Goodley; Dominic Pearson

doi:10.1177/02645505231173683

Risk management in open prisons: a critical analysis and research agenda

Gary Goodley^*, Dominic Pearson

^*Corresponding author for this work

International Centre for Research in Forensic Psychology

Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Open prisons offer a unique contribution to the community resettlement of those serving custodial sentences. However, the evidence-base for efficacy of open prisons is limited and their existence is frequently scrutinised following adverse events including prisoner absconding and re-offending. This paper critically evaluates open prisons’ efficacy and the effective management of risk in this environment. We present a research agenda which aims to delineate the potential mechanisms of open prisons that rehabilitate offenders, while maintaining the safety of these environments. We emphasise the importance of an improved understanding of risk manifestation, and the need to evaluate existing risk management protocols.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	367-384
Number of pages	18
Journal	Probation Journal
Volume	70
Issue number	4
Early online date	17 May 2023
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/02645505231173683
Publication status	Published - 1 Dec 2023

Keywords

abscond
behaviour monitoring
offender assessment
open prisons
recidivism
resettlement
risk management

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10.1177/02645505231173683

Risk_management_in_open_prisons_POST_PRINT
Goodley, G., & Pearson, D. (2023). Risk management in open prisons: A critical analysis and research agenda. Probation Journal, 70, (4), pp. 367-384. Copyright © 2023 The Authors. DOI: 10.1177/02645505231173683.
Accepted author manuscript (Post-print), 400 KB

Monitoring prisoners preparing for release: who ‘fails’ in open prison conditions?
Goodley, G. & Pearson, D., 1 Mar 2024, In: European Journal of Criminology. 21, 2, p. 251-273 23 p.
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Evaluation of an enhanced behavioural monitoring system in UK open prisons
Goodley, G. & Pearson, D., 6 Nov 2023, (Early online) In: Criminology & Criminal Justice.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Targeting and Evaluating a Behavioural Monitoring Process Designed to Improve the Risk Management of Prisoners in the Open Prison Estate
Goodley, G. (Author), Pearson, D. A. S. (Supervisor), Morris, P. H. (Supervisor) & Gredecki, N. (Supervisor), 1 Jun 2023
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis

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Cite this

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Risk management in open prisons: a critical analysis and research agenda

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

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Research output

Monitoring prisoners preparing for release: who ‘fails’ in open prison conditions?

Evaluation of an enhanced behavioural monitoring system in UK open prisons

Student theses

Targeting and Evaluating a Behavioural Monitoring Process Designed to Improve the Risk Management of Prisoners in the Open Prison Estate

Cite this