Probationary services in a pandemic. Results from an empirical study in Austria

Bibliographic Data

ID21497786
AuthorsMonika Stempkowski (0000-0002-1116-9261, University of Vienna, corresponding author), Christian Grafl (0000-0001-8406-501X, University of Vienna)
Year2021
Volume68
Issue4
Pages444-457
Publication date2021-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueProbation Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0264-5505 • E-ISSN: 1741-3079
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/02645505211050863
OpenAlexW3210581106
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited3

In March 2020 the first lockdown due to COVID-19 was imposed in Austria, forcing NEUSTART, the organisation providing probationary services, to adapt the way of interacting with their clients. An online survey was conducted examining how these changes affected the everyday work of the probation officers. Results indicated that they managed to stay in contact with their clients, although difficulties could be observed concerning specific groups. Further questions concerned areas such as domestic violence, strains due to the restrictions experienced as well as coping strategies used by the clients. Concerning the well-being of the probation officers, differences were found between residents of urban and rural areas respectively as well as between people living with or without children. The lack of personal contact with clients and colleagues proved to be the most important source of discomfort, while at the same time working from home entailed certain advantages

Pandemic · Political science · Public relations · Rural area · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Homelessness and Social Issues · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access