NCJ Number
164588
Journal
Law Enforcement Quarterly Dated: (November 1996-January 1997) Pages: 17-18
Date Published
1997
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article provides an overview of San Diego County's (California) juvenile probation officers' public-safety tasks, particularly as regards juvenile rehabilitation.
Abstract
By statute, probation officers are officers of the court who make recommendations on dispositions for both adult and juvenile cases. They also manage the cases of adults and juveniles on probation, as they attempt to keep them drug-free, out of trouble, and doing what is required to pursue productive lives. In addition, probation officers operate correctional facilities such as Juvenile Hall and a juvenile ranch facility for boys as well as the Girls Rehabilitation Facility. In this era of extensive alcohol and drug abuse, gangs, family violence, crack babies, and fetal-alcohol syndrome, much of the challenge of working with families and stopping the cycle of violence has fallen on probation officers who manage these cases. The San Diego County Probation Department operates day centers, family empowerment programs, substance abuse intervention activities, and other post-incarceration programs. In addition to working with police to suppress gangs, probation officers cooperate with social workers, school administrators, mental health specialists, drug and alcohol intervenors, and others to keep young potential offenders from engaging in destructive behaviors.