A potential for democratic emancipation? Policy and discretionary practices in probation service

In my doctoral thesis I assess the relationship between ideal and practice in the social work for minimizing recidivism in Scandinavia. With a special attention to how social work seeks to rebuild parolees’ democratic competences and their ability and willingness to take on a participatory citizenship I study the resettlement process from imprisonment to freedom. The research is based on document analysis and interviews with social workers working within prison and probation service and their clients.