NCJ Number
159208
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 34 Issue: 4 Dated: (November 1995) Pages: 314-325
Date Published
1995
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Research in the Middlesex Area Probation Service region of England explored probation practices with drug-abusing offenders and examined the probation service's response to an initiative undertaken on behalf of drug agencies.
Abstract
A questionnaire survey of all 200 probation officers produced a 60 percent response rate. The survey produced estimates of the time probation officers spent in a working week on cases of offenders who were recognized as having a drug problem. Results revealed that the probation officers were doing slightly more generic work than drug-focused work with their drug-using clients. Semistructured interviews conducted with 22 probation personnel and 10 personnel of local drug agencies, together with two discussions with committees from both types of agencies, revealed both enthusiasm and worries among both probation and drug treatment personnel regarding partnership between the agencies. Findings indicated that the current conceptualization of drug-related crimes and approaches toward dealing with it may render future collaborations no easier than what was observed in this study. Table, notes, and 29 references (Author abstract modified)