Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GAPSLE (Learning gaps in criminal justice system in Norway)
Período documentado: 2020-08-03 hasta 2022-08-02
Collaborative learning interventions (developing work together in workplaces) are suggested to provide more purposeful learning experiences than individual training programmes (participating a course) as well as promote work-related well-being. In Norway, a recent study identified challenges around learning activities. This fellowship will respond to this call. It will describe the current state of collaborative learning efforts focusing on obstacles and good practice. GAPSLE will offer new methods and insights to the interdisciplinary field of criminology and workplace learning and potentially inform and impact CJS practice, policy and research with aims to reduce reoffending rates, and make Europe a more secure society.
The importance of collaborative learning and collabortion between different professional groups were emphasised in the findings.
In Norway, the study showed that the interviewed prison officer students were satisfied with their education. Learning in collaboration with other students was viewed as a good way to learn and also to learn how to collaborate. Regarding continuing professional development of prison officers, the most discussed learning needs were around communication and mental health issues. The importance of collaborating and learning together with other professional groups, with mental health professionals in particular was expressed. The significance of working together with the key actors, the third sector organisations and municipalities in particular, were expressed but there were also concerns over the possibility that due to the decreasing resources and involvement of external actors, prison officers’ role would again become static focusing on control and punishment.
In the Finnish case, the importance of informal and collaborative learning, and working together with different professional groups was emphasised. Yet, hierarchical structures and working in silos were considered a challenge.
An unexpected finding of the project in both countries was the expressed need to develop services for female prisoners.
An integrative literature review on prison officers’ learning was conducted pointing to a lack of research on prison officers’ continuing professional development.
1) framework describing current practice in organizational learning and development of social innovations within CJS
2) framework that helps CJS practitioners and decisionmakers identify obstacles impeding work and system development and learning within CJS,
3) explore readiness to engage in collaborative learning interventions and development of social innovations and
4) identify collaborative organizational learning activities among different occupational groups and creation of social innovations in prisons.
The results will contribute to reduction of reoffending rates and work-based well-being of staff. The expected results will be exploited by practitioners, educators and decisionmakers within CJS to support in reviewing and designing learning events and strategies, and academics in the field of workplace learning to develop methodologies. Furthermore, they are expected to raise interest among layperson who have interest towards prison work, prison services and issues contributing to a safer society.