MODEL FOR INCREASING THE USE OF COMMUNITY SUPPORTIVE SERVICES IN PROBATION AND PAROLE

• NCJ Number: 49903
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 41 Issue: 4 Dated: (1977) Pages: 24-27
• Author(s): R J POLISKY
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Administrative Office of the United States Courts
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE GROWTH OF THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTIVE SERVICES UNIT OF THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA PROBATION AND PAROLE DISTRICT (DISTRICT NO. 10) IS DESCRIBED. THE UNIT ENLISTS THE SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY AGENCIES AND PROVIDES LIAISON.

Abstract

THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTIVE SERVICES UNIT (CSSU) GREW OUT OF THE EVER-INCREASING NEED TO REFER PROBATION AND PAROLE CLIENTS TO LOCAL AGENCIES FOR HOUSING, CLOTHING, EMPLOYMENT, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. IN JANUARY 1965 DISTRICT NO. 10 (ARLINGTON, FAIRFAX, AND PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTIES AND THE CITIES OF FAIRFAX AND ALEXANDRIA) HAD 344 CASES UNDER ACTIVE SUPERVISION; IN JANUARY 1974, THE NUMBER WAS 1,145. THE DISTRICT'S 29 OFFICERS EACH RELIED ON PERSONAL INFORMATION TO MAKE APPROPRIATE REFERRALS. IT WAS AT THIS TIME THAT A DIRECTOR WAS HIRED AND LEAA FUNDS WERE SOUGHT TO ESTABLISH THE CSSU. A MASTER FILE OF LOCAL AGENCIES WAS DEVELOPED, TOGETHER WITH FULL INFORMATION ON THE SERVICES EACH OFFERED. PUBLIC RELATIONS EFFORTS WERE BEGUN TO ENLIST COMMUNITY SUPPORT. A SYSTEM OF DATA COLLECTION AND STANDARDIZED FORMS WERE DEVELOPED TO INSURE FOLLOWUP ON COMMUNITY REFERRALS. AN EMPLOYMENT QUESTIONNAIRE FORM WAS DEVELOPED WHICH GREATLY SPEEDED THE SEARCH FOR JOBS. THESE STANDARDIZED FORMS ENABLED THE COORDINATOR TO HELP THE CASEWORKER PLACE AN OFFENDER IN THE APPROPRIATE PROGRAM WITHOUT REMOVING THE CASE FILE FROM THE SUPERVISOR'S OFFICE, PROVIDED BLANKS FOR RECORDING VARIOUS CONTACTS, AND GAVE A PERMANENT RECORD FOR THE OFFENDER'S FILE. ALTHOUGH THE COORDINATOR HELPS FIND APPROPRIATE AGENCIES AND HELPS WITH INITIAL CONTACTS, THE PROBATION OR PAROLE OFFICER MAINTAINS CONTROL OF THE CASE AND DECIDES UPON THE FINAL DISPOSITION. OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE CSSU HAVE INCLUDED LIAISON WITH THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF BUSINESSMEN TO DEVELOP HIRING PROGRAMS, REPRESENTING DISTRICT 10 IN WORKING WITH LOCAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, PARTICIPATION ON VARIOUS COMMUNITY CITIZEN'S COMMITTEES, AND DEVELOPMENT OF A SERIES OF PROGRAMS FOR THE LOCAL PUBLIC BROADCASTING NETWORK. STUDENT INTERNS FROM LOCAL UNIVERSITIES ARE WORKING IN THE PROGRAM. THE CSSU HAS HELPED LOCAL AGENCIES FILL OUT GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR EXPANSION OF SERVICE PROGRAMS WHICH ALSO BENEFIT THE EX-OFFENDER. (GLR)