Jeugd-Reclassering in de Praktijk (Youth Probation Service in Practice)

• NCJ Number: 201136
• Author(s): M. Kruissink; C. Verwers
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 98 pages
• Sale Source: Netherlands Ministerie Van Justitie
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Country: Netherlands
• Note: Onderzoek en beleid, 202

Annotation

This evaluation study addressed the characteristics of juvenile probationers in the Netherlands as well as the features and outcomes of juvenile probation practices and procedures.

Abstract

Information was obtained by interviewing approximately 60 probation officers regarding the juveniles and the services provided them in 2 recently completed cases managed by each officer. The probationers were mostly boys (90 percent), and approximately 80 percent of the probationers were 15, 16, or 17 years old. Half of the juveniles were native Dutch, and the other half were from Turkey, Morocco, Suriname, or the Netherlands Antilles. Four types of juvenile probationers were distinguished in the sample of cases. There was the "occasional offender," who had committed only one offense or a few minor offenses (approximately 25 percent of the sample); the "high-risk juvenile," who had a previous history with the court system (approximately one-third of the sample); the "very high-risk juveniles," who had committed many previous serious offenses (approximately one-third of the sample); and "psycho-socially hurt juveniles," who were deeply psychologically and socially troubled due to their own abusive victimization (13 percent of the cases). In the majority of the cases, a plan of supervision and counseling was developed for the juvenile, with the probation officer playing a major role. Officer activities consisted of conversations with the juveniles to provide insight and motivation, contacts with persons in the social network of the juveniles, and the coordination of services for the juveniles in the medical and psycho-social areas. In approximately half of the cases, probation was completed within a year and a half. The other half of the cases were longer. The majority of the clients cooperated and complied with probation conditions and met the goals set for their probation plan. Although approximately two-thirds of the juveniles matched the targeted group of serious juvenile offenders, the "occasional offender" and the "psycho-socially hurt" offender did not meet the profile of the intended targeted group. Future research should provide information and data on the recidivism of juvenile probationers. 16 tables and 15 references