NCJ Number
111092
Editor(s)
G J Bensinger
Date Published
1988
Length
10 pages
Annotation
In 1986, questionnaires were sent to over 50 juvenile probation department across the Nation to examine current policies, operations, and programs.
Abstract
Responses were received from 40 departments, often accompanied by annual reports and other pertinent data. A majority required a bachelor's degree but no experience. Salaries ranged from a mean of $16,794 for probation officer trainees to a mean of $48,160 for chief probation officers. A large majority required initial training or orientation for new staff and inservice training for all staff. Only 10 departments had a separate department of research, and most of these conducted program evaluations. Most departments had a diversion program, and most used a classification system for probationers. Over half had an intensive probation unit with structured supervision, small caseloads, and encouraging results. In most departments, probation officers filled both referral and treatment roles. Although only 45.9 percent had a clinical probation services division, 90 percent indicated having easy access to mental health services. A majority of departments belonged to the judicial, rather than executive, branch; 50 percent received State subsidies. Mean recidivism rate, based on 21 responses, was 30.7 percent. List of participating departments.