Who are we?

The core group of members consists of academics from across Wales`s universities and those with operational probation and voluntary sector experience, under the auspices of the Welsh Centre for Crime and Social Justice. Ella Rabaiotti from Swansea University is the current convenor of the group and Alicia Edwards from WCCSJ provides administrative support. A pen picture of PDG core members is provided. A growing number of Associate Members form an extensive network within Wales and beyond are providing additional experience and advice.

Last updated July 2026.

	Simon Borja Is project Development Manager at Safer Wales. He has worked at Safer Wales for 17 years and has played an integral part in developing some of the charity’s key project areas. He now supports and develops various aspects of the organisation’s outreach work and coordinates the Dyn Project, which supports male victims of domestic abuse.
	John Deering Is Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Criminology at the University of South Wales. Before retiring in 2022, he was Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at USW, researching and teaching in the areas of probation and youth justice. He was previously a practitioner and manager in the probation service.
	Martina Feilzer Is a Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Bangor University. Martina is an active mixed methods researcher looking at questions of practical, culture, and management across police and probation services. She is the current Director of the Welsh Centre for Crime and Social Justice, Co-Director of WISERD@Bangor, and Academic Co-Chair of the All-Wales Policing Academic Collaboration.
	Ian Fox Currently a Visiting Fellow at USW, formally worked as a probation officer for many years and was chief officer in Mid Glamorgan. He was seconded to the Home Office as Advisor on Wales and acted as an NPS Regional Manager for Wales. More recently, managed some probation projects in other parts of Europe.
	Gwyn Griffith. Lecturer and researcher in criminology, Law and Criminology Department, Aberystwyth University. Research interests in Youth Justice, risk assessment and factors impacting on crime rates at state and local levels. Worked as a probation officer for Dyfed-Powys Probation Service and then as a Service manager for Ceredigion’s Youth Offending Team, Family Support Services and Emergency Duty Team.
	Brian Heath Was the Chief Probation Officer for Jersey and After Care Service 1999 – 2019 and Board Member Confederation of European Probation CEP 2017-2020. Currently Visiting Fellow University of South Wales: Honorary Member CEP; Academic Council member Jersey International Centre for Advanced Studies; made MBE 2017 for services to Probation.
	Tony Kirk Is a retired HM Inspector of probation. During his time with Wales Probation he led the development of the Wales Reducing Offending Strategy and Integrated Offender Management (IOM) Cymru. Tony has led a significant number of inspections and joint inspections including of Offender Management in Custody (OMiC).
	Su McConnel Is Executive Member of Napo Cymru and former Vice-Chair, the Union and Professional Association for Probation staff. She has worked in Probation since 1986 in roles from Community Service Officer to Assistant Chief Officer in Bristol, Durham, Devon & Cornwall, and Wales.
	Kevin McElduff Kevin is an experienced leader across public services, business, and politics. He currently works as a consultant and trainer specialising in quality, safety and organisational development.
	Mike Maguire Is Emeritus Professor in Criminology at USW, having previously worked at Oxford and Cardiff Universities. He has researched and published widely in criminal justice field, including probation, prisons, prisoner resettlement, policing and victim support. He was one of the original editors of the Oxford Handbook of Criminology.
	Ella Rabaiotti Is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Swansea University where she also undertakes research in probation, health and poverty, as well as community safety. A qualified Probation Officer, her previous roles include Assistant Chief Executive for Wales Community Rehabilitation Company, Wales Crimestoppers lead and Head of Wales Safer Communities Network.
	Peter Raynor Was a Probation Officer in the 1970s, and since then has worked as an academic at Swansea University, where he is currently Emeritus Research Professor in Criminology. He was formerly in charge of social work and probation training, and has been involved for nearly fifty years in research on probation and criminal justice issues.
	Kate Williams Is Honorary Professor at Aberystwyth University and Co-Director of the Welsh Centre for Crime and Social Justice. She has experience of researching into and advising on matters important to policy and practice in both youth and adult justice.