Recruitment and Retention in Community Corrections: Report From a National Institute of Corrections Conference

• NCJ Number: 153613
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 58 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1994) Pages: 16-19
• Author(s): L Shaner
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 4 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Conference Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Report on a conference on Recruitment and Retention held on September 15-16, 1993, in Alexandria, Va.

Annotation

This report presents discussion topics and recommendations from a conference that focused on probation and parole image, the recruiting market, qualifications, training, and motivation.

Abstract

A discussion of probation and parole professional image considered the low image often held of probation and parole officers and how this image can be upgraded. Consideration of the market for prospective employees focused on volunteers, former military personnel, police officers, college job fairs. Some recruitment issues addressed were restrictions on entry age, paid advertising, and the effect of pregnancies and extended maternity leave on the caseloads of the rest of the staff. Qualifications discussed were writing ability, personnel reflection of community composition, the desire to help people, educational requirements, testing, substantive background checks, certification requirements, background requirements, and the interview process. Other issues discussed were training and motivation. Recommendations focused on standardization of professional requirements, a national campaign to upgrade professional image, an analysis of personnel inadequacies, and involvement of the FBI in a training program.