NCJ Number
67626
Date Published
1972
Length
22 pages
Annotation
THIS HANDBOOK PROVIDES GUIDELINES FOR VOLUNTEER PROBATION OFFICERS INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY PROBATION AND AFTERCARE SERVICE OF SINGAPORE.
Abstract
THE PROBATION SERVICE PROVIDES SUPERVISION AND PERSONAL CARE OF JUVENILE AND ADULT OFFENDERS, WHILE THE AFTERCARE SERVICE IS INVOLVED WITH REFORMATIVE TRAINEES, CORRECTIVE TRAINEES, AND PREVENTIVE TRAINEES. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES SOCIAL SERVICES TO PRISONERS AND GUIDANCE TO YOUNG ADULTS BETWEEN AGES 16 AND 21. CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS CAN BE EFFECTIVE AGENTS IN HELPING PROFESSIONAL STAFF AID OFFENDERS IN FINDING THEIR OWN MEANINGFUL SOLUTIONS FOR THEIR PROBLEMS AND NEEDS. A TRAINING PROGRAM CONSISTING OF LECTURES, SEMINARS, DISCUSSIONS, AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IS DESIGNED TO EQUIP VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR SPECIALIZED ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY PROBATION SERVICE. FOLLOWING TRAINING, VOLUNTEERS ARE ASSIGNED A CASE FOR A TRIAL PERIOD OF 6 MONTHS, DURING WHICH TIME THEY RECEIVE FURTHER GUIDANCE FROM PROBATION OFFICERS. VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE FOUND SUITABLE ARE CONFIRMED AS VOLUNTEER PROBATION OFFICERS AT THE END OF THE TRIAL PERIOD. VOLUNTEERS WORK ON A ONE-TO-ONE BASIS WITH PROBATIONERS. THEY DEVELOP MEANINGFUL FRIENDSHIPS WITH PROBATIONERS, SERVE AS SOURCES OF INSPIRATION AND IDENTIFICATION, AND TAKE PART IN LAY COUNSELING WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE OVERALL TREATMENT PLAN DEVELOPED BY THE PROBATION OFFICER. THE VOLUNTEER IS NOT AN AUTHORITY FIGURE BUT IS A FRIEND, COUNSELOR, AND HELPMATE TO THE PROBATIONER. VOLUNTEERS SHOULD SEE PROBATIONERS REGULARLY AND MAINTAIN CLOSE CONTACT WITH PROBATION OFFICERS. VOLUNTEERS MAY HELP IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION, SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE, PERSONAL MATTERS, EMPLOYMENT, ARTS AND CRAFTS, SPORTING AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. VOLUNTEERS SHOULD USE SUCH BASIC COUNSELING CONCEPTS AS EMPATHY, SIMPLE LANGUAGE, IDENTIFICATION, ADVICE, AND LISTENING. SPECIFIC PRACTICES TO FOLLOW AND TO AVOID ARE LISTED, AND ONE VOLUNTEER'S EXPERIENCE IS RELATED. NO REFERENCES ARE GIVEN.