NCJ Number
67849
Date Published
1978
Length
18 pages
Annotation
THIS ANNUAL REPORT PRESENTS THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF PROBATION SERVICES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA DURING FISCAL YEAR 1978.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM SUPERVISED 2,668 PROBATIONERS DURING THE YEAR, A 4 PERCENT INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR, AND A 31 PERCENT INCREASE OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS. A TOTAL OF 921 PRESENTENCE REPORTS WERE COMPLETED, REPRESENTING A 50 PERCENT INCREASE SINCE 1973. OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF OFFENDERS PLACED ON PROBATION, 48 PERCENT HAD BEEN CONVICTED OF EITHER BREAKING AND ENTERING OR STEALING AND RECEIVING. THE REPORT CATEGORIZES PROBATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY REGIONAL OFFICES INCLUDING ALBANY, GERALDTON, KALGOORLIE, AND THE TWO OFFICES OPENED DURING THE YEAR, BUNBURY AND PORT HEDLAND. ALSO, REPORTS ARE PRESENTED ON THE TWO METROPOLITAN AREA OFFICES, BENTLEY AND FREMANTLE, AND THE HEAD OFFICE IN PERTH. THE COURTS HAVE MADE 140 COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS IN 17 MONTHS. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER SCHEME UNDERTOOK 70 PROJECTS WHICH RANGED FROM WORK AT CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS TO A TRIBAL ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY PROJECT; THE SCHEME USED 100 AGENCIES FOR SUPPORT. NEW STAFF INCLUDED SIX FIELD STAFF MEMBERS, ONE SUPERVISOR, AND A RESEARCH OFFICER. TRAINING SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS WERE HELD THROUG THE YEAR FOR HONORARY PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICERS, WHILE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPED WITH THE TWO SCHOOLS OF SOCIAL WORK, THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND WESTERN AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. A TOTAL OF 25 NEW HONORARY PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICERS WERE APPOINTED DURING THE YEAR. FUTURE PLANS INCLUDE TWO NEW OFFICES AND A BAIL HOSTEL PROGRAM SIMILAR TO THOSE ESTABLISHED IN ENGLAND. HOWEVER, NO NEW PROFESSIONAL STAFF WERE ADDED TO MEET INCREASED DEMANDS. THE NAMES OF PROBATION STAFF AND SIX TABLES ARE APPENDED. (JLF)