Perspectives of probation officers supervising female substance users : analysis of service users’ needs and barriers for change

Abstract

Women in the criminal justice system are on the increase, where most cases have a connection to substance abuse. In such cases, probation officers who supervise female caseloads aim to establish a positive relationship with women, which encourages women to trust the probation officer. Probation officers employ motivational techniques and identify the skills that the female offender has. Such methods have the potential to encourage women to challenge their conventional lifestyles and embrace the change needed to abstain from using substances. This research aimed to understand the obstacles that women encounter when they come to realize the need to disengage from the lifestyle of abuse. This dissertation made use of a qualitative method by conducting semi-structured interviews among eight probation officers. The data analysis consisted of observing frequent themes that emerged from the interviews and these themes were analysed and backed up with the literature review. Findings highlighted several challenges that women might face during their rehabilitation journey. Although the cases involving women are not heterogeneous, probation officers highlighted several characteristics that are common among female substance users. For instance, the findings outlined that female substance users may often be subjected to an environment that normalizes drug use. Hence, this situation can obstruct women from quitting using drugs and provide higher risks for relapse. The findings reported that in these circumstances, the development of relationships later on in adulthood could also be affiliated with substance abuse because the circumstances lead women to accompany or to be accompanied by substance-related partners. Therefore, a supportive system is fundamental for the process of abstinence. That said, the study delineated several barriers, with childcare responsibilities being a concern for women requiring a rehabilitation program.