Intelligence systems: their tacit adoption and use with community based offenders

Abstract

This research considers whether intelligence system principles are in tacit use within the non-traditional environment of a Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC). Unlike their “Intelligence-Led” partners in the Police Service, intelligence work was not a mandated activity for CRC staff at the time of this research. A review of the literature revealed that intelligence activity in the probation domain is entirely under researched. To explore an intelligence system, the study constructs a conceptual model which is entrenched in existing theory and practice from adjacent domains. Regarding methods, with Integrated Offender Management (IOM) as a lens, observation and interview are used to explore how IOM Officers interpret the criminal environment with which they are faced. Wider survey data uncovers the extent to which staff use intelligence at their disposal. Conviction data reveals how the CRC monitors the impact the IOM scheme has on that criminal environment. Additionally, the research considers partnership working, information exchange and organisational capability. The study found that despite the absence of formally supportive organisational architecture, CRC staff engage in defined activities which mirror the principles of established intelligence systems. Rather than finding an Intelligence subculture within IOM, the study found a myriad of intelligence streams being used by CRC staff at various levels. Additionally, this thesis reveals, the 3i intelligence model developed by Ratcliffe can be modified for use outside of the policing environment.

Date of Award	24 Jun 2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Northumbria University
Supervisor	Charlotte Bilby (Supervisor) & Michael Rowe (Supervisor)