NCJ Number
50297
Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OFFENDER THERAPY Volume: 11 Issue: 3 Dated: (1967) Pages: 89-93
Date Published
1967
Length
5 pages
Annotation
CHARACTERISTICS OF PROBATION SERVICES IN THE NETHERLANDS ARE DESCRIBED IN TERMS OF THEIR RELATION TO LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
Abstract
DUTCH PROBATION SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY PRIVATE, OFTEN RELIGIOUS, ORGANIZATIONS. THEY ARE FINANCED BY CONTRIBUTIONS OF ORGANIZATION MEMBERS AND BY THE DUTCH MINISTRY OF JUSTICE. THEY EMPLOY APPROXIMATELY 365 TRAINED PROBATION OFFICERS AS WELL AS UNPAID WORKERS. VOLUNTARY WORKERS HAVE A NETWORK OF INDIVIDUAL CONTACTS AND ENLIST THE AID OF THEIR CHURCHES, TRADE UNIONS, AND MANY OTHER GROUPS. THEY CALL ON THEIR PERSONAL FRIENDS TO INTEREST THEM IN REHABILITATION WORK, EXPLAINING THE NEEDS OF CLIENTS AND RELATING EMERGENCY CASES AND RESULTS. VOLUNTARY WORKERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO TURN TO PROFESSIONAL PROBATION OFFICERS FOR ADVICE IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS. PROBATION OFFICERS ARE GENERALLY FULLY TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS WHO SPEND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME RECRUITING, SUPERVISING, AND ADVISING VOLUNTARY WORKERS. ALL PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATIONS ARE CARRIED OUT BY PROBATION OFFICERS. A COMPLICATED SYSTEM OF COOPERATION EXISTS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE ASSOCIATIONS IN THE NETHERLANDS. REFERNCES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)