NCJ Number
60817
Journal
Bewaehrungshilfe Volume: 25 Issue: 4 Dated: (1978) Pages: 303-312
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE ORGANIZATION OF PROBATION SERVICES IN GREAT BRITAIN IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE WORK BEGUN BY A VOLUNTEER GROUP, THE POLICE COURT MISSIONARIES, IN THE LATE 19TH CENTURY IS MANAGED TODAY BY THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT OF THE HOME OFFICE AND CARRIED OUT ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS BY THE COUNTY PROBATION COMMITTEES. DECISIONS ABOUT PROBATION ARE MADE BY CASE COMMITTEES UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF LOCAL LAY JUDGES; AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL, A HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE OF PROBATION OFFICERS IS OVERSEEN BY THE CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER, WHO ADVISES THE CASE COMMITTE AND ADMINISTERS THE WHOLE SYSTEM, WITH THE HELP OF SEVERAL ASSISTANT CHIEF PROBATION OFFICERS AND SIX SENIOR PROBATION OFFICERS FOR EACH ASSISTANT. SENIOR PROBATION OFFICERS ARE IN CHARGE OF COUNSELING THE ACTUAL PROBATION WORKERS AND PLANNING THEIR WORK TIME. PROBATION OFFICERS ARE REQUIRED TO PREPARE SOCIAL INQUIRY REPORTS ON THE BACKGROUNDS OF POTENTIAL PROBATIONERS FOR USE BY COURTS; TO CARRY OUT PROBATION ORDERS FOR INDIVIDUAL OFFENDERS; TO SUPERVISE HOSTELS, DAY TRAINING CENTERS, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE JOBS PROVIDED FOR PROBATIONERS; TO COUNSEL PRISONERS IN PRISONS AND DETENTION CENTERS, AS WELL AS IN POST-RELEASE SITUATIONS; TO ASSIST COURTS BY GATHERING INFORMATION ON PROBATIONS, APPEARING IN COURT, AND DISCUSSING PROBLEMS WITH PROBATIONERS; AND TO ASSUME GUARDIANSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES IN FAMILY COURTS. PROFESSIONAL STATUS IS ATTAINED AFTER COMPLETION OF UNIVERSITY STUDIES OR EXTENSION COURSES WITH A PERIOD OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND PROCUREMENT OF A CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFICATION IN SOCIAL WORK; VOLUNTARY CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES HELP MAINTAIN HIGH PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)