Nordic and Scottish Civil Society Organisations Working with Offenders and the Effects of Service Delivery: Is Pursuing Mission Impossible Whilst Bidding for Contracts?

Abstract

<p> It has been suggested that civil society organisations (CSOs) in the penal<br /> sector may be losing their autonomy, whilst delivering services to the public sector. This<br /> interview-based study explores this question in the context of Nordic and Scottish CSOs.<br /> The findings reveal that for these CSOs that already are dependent on co-operation with<br /> the criminal justice system, service-delivery contracts have generated additional difficulties<br /> in remaining truthful to their missions. However, those CSOs that had embedded their<br /> core activities in volunteering instead of paid professionals were able to hold on to their<br /> original missions to a greater extent, regardless of service delivery. The article suggests<br /> that CSOs that still wish to remain loyal to their original purposes should reinforce<br /> volunteer-based working methods within their organisations.</p>