Role Definition for the Practitioner of Correctional Supervision: Transcending Role Conflict in Theory and Practice (From Correctional Theory and Practice, P 82-96, 1992, Clayton A Hartjen and Edward E Rhine, eds. -- See NCJ-135949)

• NCJ Number: 135954
• Author(s): B A Meyerson
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 21 pages
• Sale Source: Nelson-Hall Publishers
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This analysis of the role and mission of practitioners of correctional supervision emphasizes the conflicts inherent in the role and the ways in which correctional personnel in the New Jersey Intensive Supervision Program have overcome these role conflicts.

Abstract

The conflicts rest on the two ostensibly competing goals of helping offenders restructure their lives (treatment) and exercising social control over criminal activity for the safety of the community (surveillance). These goals appear to be incompatible logically, morally, and practically. Nevertheless, the New Jersey experience demonstrates that practitioners can avoid role conflict and achieve both goals effectively. This experience also shows the deficiencies of current theory; words like treatment and surveillance are inadequate for describing the complexity of actual practice. These deficiencies suggest that the most reliable form of practitioner training currently consists of internships under master practitioners. In addition, the advantages of having one person perform the functions of both surveillance and treatment should be recognized. Furthermore, improved coordination of the approaches of judges and practitioners, research on the impacts of family and friends of offenders, and massive peer and supervisor support of correctional practitioners are all needed. 10 references