NCJ Number
60649
Date Published
1978
Length
72 pages
Annotation
A UTAH TASK FORCE ASSESSES THE PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICERS' RESPONSIBILITIES AND EVALUATES THE TIME NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THEIR REQUIRED DUTIES.
Abstract
WITH EVER INCREASING DEMANDS FOR SERVICES BEING PLACED ON UTAH'S ADULT PROBATION AND PAROLE DEPARTMENT, A MEANINGFUL SYSTEM HAD TO BE DEVISED TO MEASURE THE NUMBER OF PERSONNEL REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL INVESTIGATIONS, SUPERVISION, AND OTHER DUTIES. AS A RESULT OF THE TASK FORCE STUDY, A UNIFORM CLASSIFICATION PROCEDURE WAS IMPLEMENTED IN UTAH; THREE LEVELS OF SUPERVISION WERE ESTABLISHED, AND MINIMUM STANDARDS OF SUPERVISION WERE RECOMMENDED FOR EACH CLASSIFICATION. A LARGE RANDOM SAMPLE WAS DEEMED CRITICAL TO THE ASSESSMENT, AND PERSONAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE SURVEY INSTRUMENTS WAS PROVIDED. FACTORS CONSIDERED IN THE DATA ANALYSIS INCLUDED STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF TIME FOR ALL TASKS, AND TIME FOR TRAVEL, CLERICAL FUNCTIONS, ADMINISTRATIVE CASES, AND CASE SUPERVISION. FOR STUDY PURPOSES, ACTIVITIES OF THE PROBATION OR PAROLE OFFICER WERE DDIVIDED INTO THE CATEGORIES OF SUPERVISION, INVESTIGATION, AND OTHER ASSIGNED DUTIES. THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDED THAT THE UNIT COUNT SYSTEM BE REPLACED BY THE 'MAN-HOUR' CONCEPT FOR WORKLOAD DISTRIBUTION AND LEGISLATIVE BUDGET REQUESTS. IT ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT A MANAGEMENT SYSTEM BE SET UP TO AUDIT AND ENSURE THAT OFFICERS UNDERSTAND THE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM, AND THAT EVERY EFFORT BE MADE TO SECURE SUFFICIENT PERSONNEL TO MEET ESTABLISHED STANDARDS. AN ADDITIONAL 111 AGENTS PLUS THE NECESSARY SUPPORTING STAFF WERE DEEMED NECESSARY TO MEET PRESENT STANDARDS. CHARTS AND TABULAR DATA ARE INCLUDED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTION'S MISSION STATEMENT, GROWTH PROJECTIONS, SURVEY INSTRUMENTS, AND RELATED INFORMATION. (LWM)