Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #13 - What Else Works ... Volume 1 (ACJ13-A007)

Article 7: Valuing volunteers in corrections: Learning from the Volunteer Probation Officer scheme in Japan (ACJ13-A007)

Abstract

The world of corrections is witnessing growing recognition of the contributions that can be made by well-coordinated and thoughtfully integrated volunteer schemes. One of the most impressive and longstanding examples is the Volunteer Probation Officer model in Japan. In both its breadth and depth of engagement with community, it is perhaps one of the finest examples worldwide of What Else Works. This paper uses the example of the Japanese ‘Hogoshi’ model to illustrate how the role of volunteers can be seen as fully consistent with our evidence base for how to best engage both service-users and our communities in realizing sustained reintegration. Six key features of the Japanese VPO scheme are discussed that may account for its success and that could (and should!) be emulated in other contexts.

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Author

Frank Porporino

Corrections & Criminal Justice Consultant, ACFP & ICPA, Canada

Frank Porporino has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and has sustained a close to 50-year career in corrections as a front-line practitioner, senior manager, researcher, educator, trainer, and consultant. Frank has promoted evidence-informed practice throughout his career and his contributions have been recognized with awards from a number of associations including the ACA, ICCA, Volunteers of America and the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA). Early in his career, Frank founded the Research Branch of Corrections Canada, an internationally recognized leader in applied research in corrections that has recently celebrated its 35th Anniversary. Frank was also a founding member of the HMMPS Correctional Services Accreditation Panel, a best practice review committee that was subsequently emulated by many jurisdictions.

He has remained active internationally providing training and technical assistance in effective practice in over 25 countries, most recently in Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Japan and Namibia. Currently Frank is serving as Editor of the ICPA practitioner-oriented Journal, Advancing Corrections, Chair of the ICPA R&D Network, member of the ICPA Practice Transfer Advisory Committee and Board Member and Secretary for the ICPA-North America Chapter. He has been a member of many ACA Committees, was a past member of the ICPA Board of Directors and is also Past-President of the International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology (IACFP).

Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #13 - What Else Works ... Volume 1 (ACJ13-A007)

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