NCJ Number
128666
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 34 Issue: 3 Dated: (December 1990) Pages: vii-xii
Date Published
1990
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This editorial analyzes the expansion of intensive probation services (IPS) in the United Kingdom and the United States. It argues that diversifying IPS leads to unrealistic expectations of probation officers and expedient and desperate development of supervision services rather than to goal-oriented planning.
Abstract
The increase in national probation caseloads in the United States and the proportionate use of probation in Britain are cited as examples of current problems in probation. Cost and community control of supervision are cited as reasons for expansion of probation services. Interim research is reviewed to provide insight into an evaluation of such an IPS. In order for an intensive supervision program to be effective, therapeutic integrity, reasonable demands, and offence-specific programs should be present. For politicians and legislators, the benefits of IPS include a solution to the problem; for probation services, the benefits include expansion, opportunities, and more resources. However, the IPS will be beneficial to both the offender and probation officer if it offers the offenders more choice, relevant options, and strong community links preferably with carefully-targeted, small scale projects. Large piecemeal development is not necessarily better. 10 references