NCJ Number
64532
Date Published
1980
Length
35 pages
Annotation
EMERGING ISSUES IN PAROLE AND PROBATION AND THE NEED FOR FURTHER RESEARCH ARE DISCUSSED; TOPICS INCLUDE PROBATION MANAGEMENT, THE PROBATION OFFICER, PROBATION CLIENT CLASSIFICATION, AND INNOVATIONS.
Abstract
PAROLE AND PROBATION, NOW CONTROVERSIAL, INVOLVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF FELONS NATIONWIDE AND PRESENTLY REQUIRE MUCH NEW RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS. MUCH INTEREST NOW EXISTS IN MANAGEMENT, AND ORGANIZATIONAL PROBLEMS OF THE PROBATION SYSTEM, ALTHOUGH LITTLE INFORMATION EXISTS IN SUCH CRITICAL AREAS AS ADMINISTRATION, THE ROLE OF THE PROBATION OFFICER, CASELOAD MANAGEMENT, USE OF PARAPROFESSIONALS, PROBATION OFFICER TRAINING, AND COSTS. HOWEVER, RESEARCH INDICATES PROBATION CLIENTS ARE POORLY SERVICED. PROBATION TREATMENT IS A PROCESS INVOLVING PREDICTING AN OFFENDERS'S FUTURE BEHAVIOR, PROBATION CLIENT CLASSIFICATION, AND ACTUAL TREATMENT PRESCRIBED. HOWEVER, THE ART OF PREDICTION IS UNRELIABLE AND NEEDS FURTHER WORK. RESEARCH INTO CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS FOR ADULT PROBATION CLIENTS IS INCONCLUSIVE, ALTHOUGH IT IS ALLEGED THAT A CLEAR, WELL-ADMINISTERED SYSTEM OF CLASSIFICATION WILL DECREASE TIME AND EFFORT. RESEARCH INTO TREATMENT IS RARE; HOWEVER, HELPING PROBATIONERS DEVELOP POSITIVE SELF-CONCEPTS IS DEEMED IMPORTANT. PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION REPORTS DEMAND MUCH FROM PROBATION OFFICERS; WHEN THEY SHOULD BE PRESENTED IS DEBATED, ALTHOUGH IT IS AGREED THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE AN EFFECT ON SENTENCING. DISCUSSION COVERS INNOVATIONS IN PROBATION. THE PRESENT TREND IN PROBATION SEEMS TO BE AWAY FROM CONTROL AND SUPERVISON AND TOWARD ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE. CRITICAL ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED IN FUTURE STUDIES INCLUDE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT OF PAROLE DECISIONMAKING, PAROLE BOARDS, PRESENT U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL PAROLE PRACTICES, AND PAROLE EFFECTIVENESS. NOTES ARE INCLUDED..