Learning Lessons From Implementing Enabling Environments Within Prison and Probation: Separating Standards From Process.

The probation and prison services within England and Wales are undergoing change, which is argued will enhance rehabilitation. One aspect of this change is the introduction of the Enabling Environments (EE) standards into Approved Premises and many prison establishments. This article examines the progress toward this goal across seven sites (four Approved Premises and three prisons), all of which are currently included in a multisite longitudinal study examining the impact of EE. With only one service having gained the award in the past 2 years, the majority of sites are behind the expected schedule with four relaunching the EE program. It is argued that embedding the EE standards should be seen as an organization change process. Drawing on organizational research and learning, this article presents four learning points that might be implemented to overcome the difficulties experienced and assist with realizing the change being promoted.