NCJ Number
49424
Date Published
1977
Length
222 pages
Annotation
SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS OF UNITED STATES PROBATION OFFICERS ARE EXAMINED, AND PERCEPTIONS OF THE OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORS REGARDING CONTINUING EDUCATION NEEDS AND ORIENTATION AND TRAINING METHODS ARE DISCUSSSED.
Abstract
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY WERE TO IDENTIFY THE DEMOGRAPHIC AND PROFESSIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PROBATION OFFICERS, TO ASSESS THEIR CONTINUING EDUCATION NEEDS, TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN THE NEEDS PERCEIVED BY THE PROBATION OFFICERS, THE SUPERVISORS, AND THE DISTRICT CHIEFS, AND TO IDENTIFY THE METHODS PREFERRED BY THE THREE GROUPS FOR ADMINISTRATION OF ORIENTATION AND TRAINING. FIVE HUNDRED AND NINETY-ONE QUESTIONNAIRES WERE MAILED TO THE THREE GROUPS IN THE 50 STATES AND 4 TERRITORIAL POSSESSIONS OF THE U.S., WITH 527 RESPONSES. IT WAS FOUND THAT MOST OFFICERS ARE YOUNG, MALE, AND HAVE A HIGH EDUCATIONAL LEVEL. THE COMPETENCY OF THE RESPONDENTS WAS MEASURED ON A SCALE DEVELOPED FOR THE STUDY. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF SERVICE IS 5 YEARS. PARTICIPATION IN WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES, AND ASSOCIATIONS IS RELATIVELY INACTIVE. AVERAGE RESPONDENTS READ ONE PROFESSIONAL JOURNAL REGULARLY AND CONSIDER THEMSELVES TO BE WELL PREPARED TO MEET RESPONSIBILITIES. FINDINGS REGARDING COMPETENCIES IN SPECIFIC AREAS ARE PRESENTED, ALONG WITH PERCEPTIONS OF THE RESPONDENTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE AREAS. MOST PROBATION OFFICERS PERCEIVED THEIR NEED FOR EACH OF THE COMPETENCIES TO BE LESS THAN THAT PERCEIVED BY THE SUPERVISING OFFICERS AND DISTRICT CHIEFS. NONE OF THE THREE GROUPS WAS INTERESTED IN A PERMANENT ACADEMY-TYPE FACILITY FOR TRAINING, AND MOST PREFER THAT ORIENTATION BE HELD AT THE FEDERAL JUDICIAL CENTER IN WASHINGTON, D.C. THERE IS A STRONG PREFERENCE FOR ADVANCED TRAINING TO BE HELD AT CENTRALIZED, REGIONAL LOCATIONS IN TEMPORARY FACILITIES SUCH AS HOTELS. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE GIVEN REGARDING ORIENTATION AND TRAINING FACILITIES, CURRICULUMS FOR COLLEGE COURSES AND TRAINING PROGRAMS, AND COMPETENCIES TO BE STRESSED IN CONTINUING EDUCATION OF OFFICERS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT FUNDS BE INCREASED TO THE DISTRICT PROBATION OFFICES TO STRENGTHEN STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TO THE FEDERAL JUDICIAL CENTER TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS. APPENDIXES INCLUDE SUGGESTED CURRICULUMS, THE RECOMMENDED ORIENTATION PROGRAMS, THE QUESTIONNAIRE, AND STATISTICAL MATTER REGARDING RESPONSES. A BIBLIOGRAPHY AND TABULAR DATA ARE INCLUDED.