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Volunteers in the Criminal Justice System: A Comparative Study of Probation, Police, and Victim Support

NCJ Number
158228
Author(s)
M L Gill; R I Mawby
Date Published
1990
Length
154 pages
Annotation
This book discusses the role of volunteers in various components of the British criminal justice system.
Abstract
The prefatory chapter discusses the history of community involvement in the post-World War II era, and introduces an international dimension by discussing research on community participation in the criminal justice systems of other countries. The authors distinguish between community involvement in an informal sense and voluntary work as a formalized basis for participation. Different types of voluntary organizations and volunteers are considered, and arguments for and against volunteerism are discussed. The bulk of the book discusses the role volunteers play in the British probation service, police (as special constables), and in victim services. The analyses focus on volunteer profiles, volunteers' choice of agencies and types of work, relationships between volunteers and professionals, and participation of volunteers in the agency subculture. 252 references