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(In) Visible Barriers: The Experience of Asian Employees in the Probation Service

NCJ Number
222018
Journal
The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 47 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2008 Pages: 1-17
Author(s)
Gurmit Heer; Susie Atherton
Date Published
February 2008
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This article investigates the experience of Asian employess in the probation service in England and Wales.
Abstract
This research examined the experience of Asians and the treatment from their coworkers and managers relating to recruitment, retention, progression and the experience of racism. The research highlights that a number of problems were not being addressed. The study found that the problems stem from a lack of awareness of Asian culture and the diversity within it, based on media reporting of global and national events and the lack of detailed in-depth analysis of the reality of being an Asian working in probation, which goes beyond recruitment and retention targets. Some of the recommendations relating to the recruitment and promotion process, retention, and diversity issues include: reviewing the current support provisions for Asian staff; managing staff and service provision in line with equal opportunities and increasing awareness of diversity issues via training; encouraging Asian staff to go for promotion through an approach that does not perceive to give special treatment; and providing a detailed analysis of probation area recruitment targets, in order to ensure that issues of staff marginalization/discrimination are acknowledged and addressed. This research was based on the National Association of Asian Probation Staff who wanted to investigate the experience of Asian employees in the probation service in England and Wales and considered wider issues of attitudes toward Asians from the staff. References