NCJ Number
92780
Date Published
1981
Length
41 pages
Annotation
Major problems cited in a 1975 survey of 48 probation officers in West Yorkshire, England, included conflicts inherent in the job such as control versus treatment responsibilities, shortages of resources in terms of staff and facilities, and clients' economic and personal difficulties.
Abstract
The sample was drawn from four offices to represent both urban and rural areas. Most respondents completing the questionnaires were basic grade officers, 69 percent were male, and the majority were experienced in social work. The staff spent more time on client-contacts and administration than other tasks. However, female officers tended to spend more time on clients and in court and less time on administration compared with males. In addition to job-related and economic problems, officers also criticized the wide range of responsibilities which made establishing priorities difficult and the amount of paperwork required at the expense of fieldwork. Problems relating to the nature of the job were mentioned by 63 percent of the respondents, general economic problems by 50 percent, and clients' problems by 3 percent. Nearly one-third of the respondents mentioned management and organizational problems, such as the growth of hierarchical structures, isolation of management, and lack of management techniques. Over one-quarter described problems in dealing with individuals or organizations outside the service, notably magistrates and the social services. A comparison of this survey with one of social service fieldworkers showed that the latter were more likely to cite general economic and organizational problems, while the probation officers were more likely to mention clients' and job-related problems. Significant agreement on probation work problems existed between basic grade officers and senior staff. The monograph contains tables, 6 footnotes, and approximately 40 references.