Research at the University of Northampton

EMPAC is pleased to be able to showcase some of the research activities taking place at the University of Northampton, led by Professor Matthew Callender, Professor of Interdisciplinary Social Studies and Director of the Institute for Public Safety, Crime and Justice.

The research is wide ranging, so sit back and allow us to take you on a whirlwind tour of recent and ongoing activity.

Matt has led a national survey of Police Support Volunteers covering experiences during the pandemic;  evaluated pilots tackling heritage crime; and also a qualitative, exploratory study of serious violence in Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire.

Understanding the drivers that underpin violence have been identified as a national priority, as confirmed in the Government Serious Violence Strategy, and this project contributed to the evidence base locally to inform strategies to reduce violence.

More recently, there has been workforce improvement research, working with EMSOU, exploring things like job satisfaction, wellbeing, career progression and personal development, supervision and leadership, and reward and recognition.

Ongoing projects

• Community Sentence Treatment Requirement (CSTR) Multisite Evaluation. This work is evaluating the use of CSTRs across England and Wales, focussing on the mental health interventions delivered as part of Community Orders. Initial preliminary evidence is very positive, with the interventions have significant benefits in terms of global distress, anxiety and depression. The project was cited in the HMIP Effective Practice Guide on mental health following a joint thematic inspection of the criminal justice journey for individuals with mental health needs.

• Reviewing and Improving the Identification of Ex-Service Personnel in the Criminal Justice System in England, Wales and Scotland: This research is being done in In collaboration with NACRO and the Institute for Social Innovation and Impact. The University of Northampton are reviewing the current processes and mechanisms in place for identifying ex-Service personnel within the CJS of England, Wales and Scotland, identify any shortcomings, and make practical recommendations on how identification could be improved. The project also examines the barriers to uptake of support for both ex-service personnel in the criminal justice system and their families, and make appropriate recommendations.

• Review of the Healthcare Services Provided to Men Aged 55 and Over in East of England Prisons: This research is reviewing healthcare services provided in prisons across the East of England. Older prisoners are the fastest growing group in the prison population, with the proportion of those aged 50 and over increasing from 10% of the prison population in 2011 to 17% in 2021.

• Evaluation of Out of Court Disposals for Women: Ongoing research is evaluating the use of Out of Court Disposals for women in Northamptonshire, commissioned by the Northamptonshire Police Fire and Crime Commissioner.

If you want to find out more about any of these projects, or seek Professor Callender’s support in any future research, you can reach him at matthew.callender@northampton.ac.uk