NCJ Number
56672
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 42 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 53-57
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES THE REMOVAL OF THE BARRIERS TO OFFENDER PROBATION THAT PREVENT THE FULL UTILIZATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AGENCIES. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE THE USE OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP OFFENDERS.
Abstract
COMMUNITY SERVICES FROM THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR USE WHEN AN OFFENDER IS READY TO RESPOND TO ASSISTANCE. PROBATION OFFICERS SHOULD BE SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THEIR CHARGES, AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO DIRECT OFFENDERS TO THE PROPER AGENCIES. THE COMMUNITY MUST BE WELL-INFORMED AS TO THE NEEDS OR ITS RESOURCES TO THE GREATEST NEED. PUBLIC RELATIONS WORKERS SHOULD INFORM COMMUNITY AGENCIES OF THE DETAILS OF CORRECTIONS PROGRAMS, AND MAINTAIN PERSONAL CONTACTS WITH AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES. PERSONAL CONTACT CAN ELIMINATE TIME-CONSUMING REFERRAL PROCESSES WHICH ACT AS A BARRIER TO EFFECTIVE REHABILITATION. AGENCIES FUNDED BY RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS WHICH ARE WILLING TO ASSIST AN OFFENDER MAY BE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN SECULAR GROUPS. CLERGYMEN AND PHYSICIANS ARE EXCELLENT REFERRAL AGENTS BECAUSE OF THEIR INFLUENCE WITH OTHERWISE SCEPTICAL ORGANIZATIONS. THE PROBATION OFFICER CAN HELP THE PROBATIONER DECIDE BETWEEN POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES OF CONTINUING EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT, AND SHOULD COORDINATE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBATIONERS' DIFFICULTIES WITH TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING. THE OFFENDER SHOULD BE GUIDED THROUGH THE REFERRAL PROCESS, AND BE GIVEN FOLLOWUP COUNSELING AFTER MEETING WITH COMMUNITY AGENCIES. (TWK)