Unofficial Probation: An Evaluation of Its Effectiveness

Abstract

Unofficial probation, one approach to the diversion of young sters from court, is in widespread use throughout the country. The study reported here was aimed at examining the effectiveness of such informal handling by means of an experimental-control-com parison group investigation of 277 children referred to the Yolo County Probation Department, Woodland, California, during an 18-month period from January, 1970, through June, 1971. Though conclusive findings were not obtained, due primarily to the small number of children in the groups studied, the research effort did produce several noteworthy results: —The Yolo County Probation Department now has a tested and efficient probation information system in operation. It may be the only probation department in the country using a data system that lends itself so readily to research as well as management infor mation purposes. -Some idea was gained as to the degree to which the unofficial probation approach is used across the nation. -An attribute profile of one probation department's informal probationers was developed. Thus, other departments are pro vided with an opportunity to make comparisons - on the basis of probationer characteristics instead of merely the usual mislead ing "success rates." -The study described a research methodology that is available to practitioners for evaluating the effectiveness of probation approaches. -Evidence was obtained to show that the selective use of informal probation does not result in any greater rate of official delinquency than does formal probation. -Some of the findings tend toward the conclusion that proba tion services provided to children who need them do prevent further delinquency. -Taken together, the study findings indicate that informal probation may reduce delinquency recidivism. -The obtained results clearly favor the contention that a com munity can benefit financially and socially from the judicious use of unofficial probation. A further conclusion was that the study results warrant replica tion of the research on a larger scale, with more than one depart ment studied.