NCJ Number
152891
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 56 Issue: 7 Dated: (December 1994) Pages: 96,98-99
Date Published
1994
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Following a brief review of the history of juvenile probation, this article provides an overview of today's juvenile probation system and issues that must be considered for the future.
Abstract
Counseling and supervision continue to be two of the most important probation services provided by juvenile probation departments; however, the variety of available services has increased substantially in recent years. Many departments provide substance abuse counseling, mediation, job placement, family counseling, group counseling for parents, day treatment and reporting centers, electronic monitoring, educational services, and victim services. Technology has become the greatest agent for change in probation systems, but despite the advances made by probation systems due to technology, they still lag far behind other fields in their use of technology. Assuming the effective application of available technology, communication technology will enable probation officers to do their jobs without ever reporting to an office before the end of this decade. By logging into a home computer and modem, officers can check a daily schedule, send and receive documents, and communicate with coworkers and supervisors. Court hearings will be held on closed- circuit television; staff meetings will be conference calls and teleconferences. Paperwork will be transmitted by means of computers wired directly to the courtroom, judge's chambers, the prosecutor's office, defense attorney's office, and other agencies. Technology will continue to make training available to more probation officers. Some of the issues that must be addressed in the future are the protection of privacy rights and the impact of technological advances on probation officer caseloads as well as staff size. 5 references