Probation Perspectives: Insights into Community Justice is a podcast exploring the world of probation, rehabilitation, and community justice. Hosted by Megan Thomas and Ceri Halfpenny from the University of Portsmouth, this series delves into key issues affecting probation practice, featuring expert insights, research, and real-world experiences.

In this episode, we are joined by Emeritus Professor Mike Nellis, Professor of Criminal and Community Justice at the University of Strathclyde, and Louis Allgood from the AI in Justice team within government. Together, they explore the evolving role of technology in probation, with a particular focus on electronic monitoring and the growing use of artificial intelligence in justice systems. The conversation traces the historical development of electronic monitoring, considers the promises and risks associated with AI‑driven tools, and reflects on the ethical, practical, and professional implications for probation practice. Mike and Louis discuss issues of surveillance, power, accountability, and decision‑making, offering critical perspectives on how technology intersects with values such as rehabilitation, fairness, and human judgement.

This is a timely and thought‑provoking episode for PQiPs, probation practitioners, and anyone interested in how digital technologies are reshaping community justice—and what it means to practice ethically in an increasingly technologised probation landscape.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction

00:51 – Technology’s Role in Probation

04:02 – Electronic Monitoring Explained

07:54 – Artificial Intelligence in Probation

09:58 – The Human Element

12:54 – Ethical Concerns and Risks

29:21 – Challenges of AI and Monitoring

47:28 – Envisaging the Future of Probation Technology

Show notes and readings:

We’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made Probation Perspectives: Insights into Community Justice possible.

• Freddie Hunt – Podcast producer

• Jill Dealey – Podcast development and content support

• Lauren Meredith – Logo and jingle development

• Jenn Grant & Michelle McDermott – Management and support

• All of our guests for sharing their expertise and experiences

  
  

Here are the details of the resources and readings that were referred to within the episode:

Alegre (2024) Human rights, robot wrongs: Being human in the age of AI

Nellis, M. (2022). From electronic monitoring to artificial intelligence: technopopulism and the future of probation services. In Reimagining Probation Practice (pp. 207-224). Routledge.

AI Action plan for Justice: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-action-plan-for-justice/ai-action-plan-for-justice

Justice AI Unit website: https://ai.justice.gov.uk/

Probation Perspectives: Insights into Community Justice is a podcast exploring the world of probation, rehabilitation, and community justice. Hosted by Megan Thomas and Ceri Halfpenny from the University of Portsmouth, this series delves into key issues affecting probation practice, featuring expert insights, research, and real-world experiences.

In this episode, we are joined by Professor Matthew Millings, who shares insights from his recent project, Rehabilitating Probation, and Associate Professor Matt Tidmarsh from the Probation Institute. Together, they explore what it means to rehabilitate not only those supervised by Probation, but the Probation Service itself. The conversation examines the evolving identity of Probation as a profession, the impact of continual organisational change, and the challenges facing practitioners working within a complex and pressurised system. Matthew and Matt reflect on the role of research, professional values, and collective voice in shaping Probation’s future, and consider how Probation can reclaim a sense of purpose, coherence, and legitimacy.

This rich and reflective episode invites PQiPs, Probation practitioners, and anyone interested in Community Justice to think critically about Probation’s past, present, and future and what it means to imagine Probation as a values‑led profession with a clear and confident identity.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

01:50 - Matthew Millings & Dr Matt Tidmarsh

05:03 - Impact of Organisational Change

12:06 - Motivations for Rehab Project

25:50 - Defining Rehabilitation in Probation

37:30 - Continuous Learning & Reflection

45:23 - Building Relationships & Engagement

54:38 - Reimagining Probation: Health View

Show notes and readings:

We’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made Probation Perspectives: Insights into Community Justice possible.

• Freddie Hunt – Podcast producer

• Jill Dealey – Podcast development and content support

• Lauren Meredith – Logo and jingle development

• Jenn Grant & Michelle McDermott – Management and support

• All of our guests for sharing their expertise and experiences

Here are the details of the resources and readings that were referred to within the episode:

You can find out more about the Rehabilitating Probation project on their website here: https://rehabilitating-probation.org.uk/

• The Probation Institute offers professional membership, leadership, and evidence‑based resources for the sector. Find out more or join here: https://www.probation-institute.org/

• Tidmarsh, M. (2025). Probation Governance, Identity, and Practice: Making, Unmaking, Remaking. Taylor & Francis.

• Dominey, J. (2019). Probation supervision as a network of relationships: aiming to be thick, not thin. Probation Journal, 66(3), 283-302.

• Public Health England (2020). Health and social care needs assessment of adults under probation service supervision in the community. A guidance document. London: Public Health England. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adults-on-probation-health-and-social-care-needs-assessment

Probation Perspectives: Insights into Community Justice returns for its second series, continuing to explore the world of probation, rehabilitation, and community justice. Hosted by Megan Thomas and Ceri Halfpenny from the University of Portsmouth, the podcast brings together voices from practice, research, and lived experience to reflect on the realities of probation work and the values that underpin it.

In this trailer, Megan and Ceri introduce what’s ahead for Series 2, building on the reflective, practice‑focused conversations of the first series while widening the lens to consider some of the major developments shaping probation today. This season will explore topics such as the rehabilitation of the Probation Service itself, the opportunities and risks of emerging technologies and AI, the role of lived experience in professional identity, and how the service learns from serious incidents and public protection work.

With contributions from leading researchers, practitioners, and thinkers, Series 2 invites listeners to reflect on probation’s past, present, and future and to engage with honest, thoughtful conversations about how the profession continues to evolve. Whether you’re a practitioner, PQiP, educator, student, or simply interested in Community Justice, we’re excited to welcome you back.

We’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made Probation Perspectives: Insights into Community Justice possible.

• Freddie Hunt – Podcast producer

• Jill Dealey – Podcast development and content support

• Lauren Meredith – Logo and jingle development

• Jenn Grant & Michelle McDermott – Management and support

• All of our guests for sharing their expertise and experiences

For more information about PQiP training at the University of Portsmouth, visit: https://www.port.ac.uk/study/studying-while-working/probation-officer-training.