NCJ Number
44124
Journal
Bewaehrungshilfe Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: (1977) Pages: 140-148
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
METHODS TO INCREASE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR COURT WELFARE WORK FOR ADULTS IN THE GERMAN FEDERAL REPUBLIC ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
COURT WELFARE WORK FOR ADULTS HAS BEEN FIRMLY ESTABLISHED IN PENAL LAW IN 1974, BUT HAS NOT ACHIEVED THE NECESSARY UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT. PUBLIC RELATIONS EFFORTS ARE ESSENTIAL TO GAIN THIS SUPPORT AND HAVE BEEN USED BY GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS, BUT MANY STILL VIEW SUCH METHODS WITH SUSPICION. PUBLIC RELATIONS IS A POSITIVE FORCE WHEN DEFINED AS A CAREFULLY PLANNED AND CONSISTENT EFFORT TO DEVELOP AND PRESERVE UNDERSTANDING AND CONFIDENCE ON THE PART OF THE PUBLIC. TO ACHIEVE THIS, ONE MUST CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING: GOALS; THE TARGET AUDIENCE; METHODOLOGY; COST; AND WHO SHOULD CARRY OUT THE PROPOSALS. THE TWO MAIN GOALS ARE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF COURT WELFARE WORK FOR ADULTS AND TO MAKE THE PUBLIC RECEPTIVE TO THIS WORK. THE IMMEDIATE TARGET AUDIENCE INCLUDES COURT WELFARE WORKERS THEMSELVES AND COURT OFFICERS, (JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS). PUBLIC RELATIONS METHODS (FOR WELFARE WORKERS) SHOULD ENCOMPASS PERSONAL CONTACT AND A STEADY INFORMATION FLOW IN THE FORM OF HANDOUTS, ARTICLES IN INTERNAL PUBLICATIONS, BROCHURES FOR NEW WORKERS, AND COLLECTIONS OF PERTINENT ARTICLES. THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AS A WHOLE CAN BE REACHED THROUGH ARTICLES IN LEGAL PUBLICATIONS AND CONFERENCES AS PLATFORMS FOR INFORMATION. LAW STUDENTS SHOULD BE INFORMED BY TEXTBOOKS AND PROFESSORS; LAW CLERKS AND YOUNG PROSECUTORS SHOULD BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH COURT WELFARE ACTIVITIES DURING THEIR TRAINING AND ACCOMPANY WORKERS INTO THE FIELD. THE THIRD TARGET GROUP ARE THOSE NOT CONNECTED WITH THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM; I.E., STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS, POLITICIANS, AND INFLUENTIAL PERSONS SUCH AS PROFESSORS. THE MEDIA ARE CONSIDERED TO BE TOOLS OF PUBLIC RELATIONS AND NOT TARGETS. ONE PERSON SHOULD BE ENTRUSTED WITH THE REALIZATION OF PUBLIC RELATIONS GOALS, AND THERE SHOULD BE CLEAR GUIDELINES AND INVOLVEMENT AT EVERY LEVEL. IT IS STRESSED THAT INDIVIDUAL COURT WELFARE WORKERS CAN HAVE GREAT IMPACT, ESPECIALLY IN SMALLER COMMUNITIES. FIVE REFERENCES ARE CITED. -- IN GERMAN. (INL)