NCJ Number
139812
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 56 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1992) Pages: 19-29
Date Published
1992
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This analysis presents a set of steps that show variations among probation agencies across the United States and concludes with policy implications for probation administrators.
Abstract
Several major sources of variation exist among probation departments in the United States: (1) differences in felony sentencing practices create probation workloads of different size and average risk scores; (2) differences in the rate of admission and length of stay of the various types of probationers are responsible for different probation caseloads; (3) differences in the amount of money allotted to each probation agency produces variations in the way probationers are supervised and the services provided; and (4) variations in policy bring about variations in the organizational placement, organizational responsibilities, internal probation agency organization, and disciplinary and other practices of the probation organization. These variations suggest several important implications. One implication is that variation serves to inhibit the development of a probation profession. 7 notes, 7 tables, and 10 references