NCJ Number
107094
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 56 Issue: 3 Dated: (Summer 1987) Pages: 302-315
Date Published
1987
Length
14 pages
Annotation
A recent survey (Stewart and Tutt, 1987) of juveniles in custodial institutions can shed some light on the role of probation officers in prisons.
Abstract
Of these youth, only 17 percent had never previously experienced some sort of statutory social work, and their histories generally showed considerable inconsistency and disruption. Despite this, prison probation officers were not greatly involved in providing help to these juveniles. The overall levels of officers in institutions housing juveniles is very low. Further, probation officers reported offering help to only about 20 percent of the juveniles, and the remaining percentage was said to be receiving no social work assistance at all. Overall, the lack of officers' involvement in providing social services related to constraints and pressures experienced in the work, including staff shortages and the shortness of available contact time for children in remand centers. Further, juveniles' contacts with home probation officers or social workers were very rare. These results suggest that those juveniles most in need of help have the least access to it. 22 references.