Residential work with sex offenders: Places of collusion and segregation or preparation for resettlement and reintegration?

This chapter will explore the growing and sometimes publicly contentious use of probation-approved premises1 as a resource for both protecting the public and resettling adult sex offenders. It will draw on two separate ethnographic studies as well as a literature review and engagement with official policy and practice reports. The first study was undertaken by Reeves as part of her doctoral study2 (see Reeves 2009, 2010 and in press) into how adult sex offenders being released from prison experienced life within criminal justice institutions. This research involved a case study of a probation hostel, during which time the interactions of sex offender residents, other residents and staff were observed and interviews were conducted relating to the role and significance of hostel accommodation for risk management and reintegration. The second study discussed here was conducted by Cowe3 (Cowe 2008) and involved an ethnographic study of residents and staff in two hostels in 2002, and then again in 2007-08. The research explored the role and purpose of the hostel and whether these were changing. This was followed up by questionnaires and meetings with hostel managers and deputies from a further thirty-two hostels between 2008 and 2010.