DECISION-MAKING IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF PROBATION SERVICES - A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF THE PROBATION MANAGER

• NCJ Number: 9064
• Author(s): A W COHN
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 297 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DISSERTATION SUBMITTED FOR DOCTOR OF CRIMINOLOGY AT CA UNIV, BERKELEY

Annotation

PROBATION EXECUTIVES AND THEIR ATTITUDES, BELIEFS, VALUES, AND STYLES OF MANAGEMENT ARE COMPARED TO MANAGERS IN THE MILITARY, CIVIL SERVICE, AND BIG BUSINESS.

Abstract

THEIR CASE JUDGMENTS ARE DESCRIBED AND ANALYZED, UTILIZING TEN SAMPLE PROBATION CASES. PROBATION MANAGERS DO NOT AGREE ON THE EXACT NATURE OF THE GOALS OF THEIR PROGRAMS, HAVE NO PROFESSIONAL BASE OF KNOWLEDGE GUIDING THEIR DECISIONS, TEND TO EMPHASIZE ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS OVER CLIENT NEEDS, AND UTILIZE A ONE-TO-ONE STYLE OF MANAGEMENT. FURTHERMORE THESE MANAGERS TEND TO UTILIZE HEROIC STYLES OF LEADERSHIP, ARE USUALLY VERY CONSERVATIVE IN INITIATING NEW PROGRAMS, AND THEY ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING CLASS. THOUGH NOT TRAINED IN MANAGEMENT THEORY, THEY EXHIBIT CLASSICAL MANAGEMENT BELIEFS, AS OPPOSED TO A STRUCTURAL PERSPECTIVE. THE SO-CALLED CLEAVAGE PRESUMED TO EXIST BETWEEN CUSTODY AND TREATMENT ADVOCATES IS MORE MYTH THAN REALITY. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES WITH THE OBSERVATION THAT 'PROBATION MANAGERS ARE NO MORE THAN CARETAKERS OF THEIR OWN CAREERS AND ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PERSONAL LEADERSHIP IN THEIR ORGANIZATIONS. SAINT PAUL