NCJ Number
52403
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 41 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1977) Pages: 47-51
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
NINE TYPES OF PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICERS ARE DEFINED IN TERMS OF THEIR RELATIVE EMPHASIS ON BUREAUCRATIC AND HELPING FUNCTIONS.
Abstract
AN IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT OF ANY ORGANIZATION IS DEPENDABLE ROLE PERFORMANCE BY EMPLOYEES. YET THE PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICER'S ROLE HAS NEVER REALLY BEEN DEFINED. ON THE ONE HAND, THE OFFICER MUST SATISFY THE RULES OF THE COURT, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, THE LEGAL PROFESSION, THE COMMUNITY, AND THE AGENCY ITSELF. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE PSYCHOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, DEVELOPMENTAL, AND REHABILITATIVE NEEDS OF THE OFFENDER MUST BE RECOGNIZED AND MET. AMONG THE TYPES OF PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICERS DESCRIBED, THE PROBLEMATIC TYPE MANIFESTS MINIMAL CONCERN FOR BOTH THE BUREAUCRATIC AND HELPING FUNCTION AND CAN BE EITHER A NEW OR OLD WORKER. IF A NEW WORKER DOES NOT BECOME PASSIVE OR THREATENED, AND IF AN OLDER WORKER CAN BE GIVEN RECOGNITION AND DIRECTION, GROWTH IN COMMITMENT CAN BE ACHIEVED. THE MODERATE ENFORCER TYPE EMPHASIZES SURVEILLANCE OVER ASSISTANCE AND IS MORE LOYAL TO THE AGENCY THAN TO THE CLIENT. THE DISCIPLINARIAN MANIFESTS CONCERN FOR THE OFFENDER ONLY IN TERMS OF OBEYING THE RULES AND REGARDS CONFORMITY AS A SYNONYM FOR REHABILITATION. THE ALTRUIST TENDS TO ADDRESS THE PERSONAL NEEDS OF THE OFFENDER BEFORE EXPECTING THE OFFENDER TO CONFORM TO ANY RULES. THE BUREAUCRATIC TYPE (LEANING TOWARD RESOURCE INTEGRATOR) VIEWS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OFFICER AND OFFENDER AS ONE OF WORKING TOGETHER TO FOLLOW RULES AND REGULATIONS, WITH THE OFFENDER DEPENDING ON THE OFFICER TO INTERPRET RULES. THE MATERNAL TYPE HAS A SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OFFENDER, CLOSELY SUPERVISES THE ACTIONS OF THE OFFENDER, AND ATTEMPTS TO FOSTER SELF-UNDERSTANDING, AND TENDS TO SEE THE BUREAUCRACY AS AN OBSTACLE TO THE OFFENDER'S PROGRESS. THE HELPING RELATIONSHIP EMPHASIS TYPE (LEANING TOWARD RESOURCE INTEGRATOR) PERCEIVES A CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OFFENDER BUT TENDS TO EMPHASIZE THE OFFENDER'S NEEDS. THE RESOURCE INTEGRATOR IS CONCERNED WITH BOTH NEEDS OF THE OFFENDER AND THE ESTABLISHED BUREAUCRATIC STRUCTURES, WITHOUT FULLY COMMITTING HIMSELF TO EITHER FUNCTION. BY REFLECTING ON THE DESIRED ROLE FOR THE PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICER AND BY ATTEMPTING TO UNDERSTAND THE TYPES OF ROLES ACTUALLY BEING PERFORMED, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE AGENCIES WITH BETTER DIRECTION. THE NINE ROLE TYPES ARE DEPICTED IN A 'CORRECTIONAL NOVAGRAM.' (LKM)