NCJ Number
117256
Journal
Federal Probation Quarterly Volume: 53 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1989) Pages: 10-17
Date Published
1989
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study explored the treatment of disabled offenders placed in New York's probation system to determine how adequately probation officers were prepared to serve such clients, what alternatives to incarceration were used by probation officers, and what types of problems were found in implementing a probation program for disabled offenders.
Abstract
Respondents, 47 male and 29 female, were given a list of 21 different alternatives for incarceration of adults and were asked to indicate specific alternatives available in their jurisdiction and alternatives that they used with mentally retarded, learning disabled, visually impaired, or hearing impaired clients. Probation officers were also asked to rate the importance of their own training in each disability area. Responses from 70 probation officers revealed disagreement regarding alternatives to incarceration perceived to be available. Only three alternatives were considered available within and across all seven New York counties surveyed (professional counseling and psychotherapy, restitution, and self-help group counseling). The greatest area of concern was found to be in the supervision of learning disabled or mentally retarded individuals. The range of topics probation officers thought should be included in training sessions reflected the lack of training they received to deal with disabled offenders. Strategies suggested by study findings for future work with disabled probationers are discussed. 14 references, 2 tables.