NCJ Number
32021
Date Published
1975
Length
228 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT CONTAINS THE FINDINGS OF AN EXTENSIVE TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY OF PROBATION PERSONNEL, AN ANALYSIS OF THESE FINDINGS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND EXPANSION OF PROBATION TRAINING.
Abstract
THIS TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT WAS CONDUCTED IN ORDER TO DESIGN AND DEVELOP A PLAN ADDRESSING THE CONTENT AND METHODOLOGY FOR PROFESSIONAL PROBATION PERSONNEL TRAINING AND TO PROVIDE A PLAN TO IMPLEMENT, EVALUATE, AND REDESIGN ORIENTATION AND ONGOING TRAINING. METHODS USED IN THIS ASSESSMENT INCLUDED: 1) ADMINISTRATION OF A TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE TO ALL PROFESSIONAL PROBATION FIELD PERSONNEL; 2) ON-SITE INTERVIEWS WITH PROBATION OFFICERS, ASSISTANT CHIEF AND CHIEF PROBATION OFFICERS, JUDGES, AND NON-COURT PERSONNEL; AND 3) REVIEW OF IN-HOUSE DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO TRAINING. THE DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SURVEY SAMPLE AND THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARD PROBATION WORK ARE FIRST REPORTED. GENERAL TRAINING NEEDS OF PROBATION OFFICERS, ASSISTANT CHIEF PROBATION OFFICERS, AND CHIEF PROBATION OFFICERS ARE THEN OUTLINED. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE THE TRAINING PRIORITIES OF PROBATION OFFICES IN DIFFERENT COURTS AND GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS; IMPROVING ORIENTATION; IMPROVEMENT OF MANAGEMENT SKILLS; AND A GENERAL EVALUATION OF PREVIOUS TRAINING. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE CONCERNING DECENTRALIZATION OF THE TRAINING FUNCTION, APPOINTMENT STANDARDS, AND CAREER LADDER AND INCENTIVES. AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN INDICATING STAFFING PATTERNS, TIME FRAMES AND BUDGET IS INCLUDED.