Probation Officers Research Articles

Application of statutory rape laws on male adolescents: Perspectives from police and probation officers

Application of statutory rape laws on male adolescents: Perspectives from police and probation officers

‘Do no harm’: mass supervision and the ruse of carceral humanism

Abstract In recent years, scholarship has chronicled the role of probation in the rise of mass incarceration and has concluded that community supervision is a trap that routinely punishes the poor under the threat of incarceration. Starting in 2010, under a reform-minded new commissioner, the New York City Department of Probation (DOP) sought to roll back probation’s punitive role. In sharp contrast to the tough-on crime approach of previous decades, the DOP adopted the motto ‘Do no harm, do more good, and do it in the community’, and became the first probation department in the nation to spearhead a local justice reinvestment project. Its signature initiative was the decentralization of probation into a series of store front offices known as the Neighbourhood Opportunity Network, which embedded the agency more deeply into poor and working-class communities of colour. Relying on ethnographic research with probation officers, systems involved youth of colour, and non-profit organizations in the South Bronx, this article examines the limits of carceral humanism as a growing trend in recent criminal justice reform efforts.

Probation practice and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Twenty-one Community Rehabilitation Companies were set up following the division of the National Probation Services during 'Transforming Rehabilitation' in England and Wales, under a 2013 Ministry of Justice initiative. Reunification commenced in 2018. A study completed prior to these changes suggested that probation officers had had little training in recognising attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and may have been underestimating its prevalence among their clientele. Given the substantial changes in probation staffing and organisation since 2018, a new study seems warranted. The aim of the study was to understand experiences of people under a community sentence who reported having ADHD and of probation staff working with them. Using a qualitative research design, one-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with client facing probation staff recruited from one Community Rehabilitation Company. Service users undertaking a community sentence who had been diagnosed with or self-identified as having ADHD were then identified and recruited by these staff; those who consented were also interviewed. Transcripts were analysed using a thematic analytic approach. Thirteen probation staff and six male offenders under community sentences, agreed to participate and completed interviews. The overarching themes emerging from the two groups were similar, both reflecting on descriptions of ADHD; treatment of ADHD; experiences of having or working with ADHD in the wider community and in the criminal justice system specifically and visions of future support needs tied to the order. In addition, probation officers specifically raised the matter of payment by results. Both service users and probation staff identified gaps in knowledge, experience and services, but areas of good practice were also identified. The findings highlight the continuing under-acknowledgement of tailored clinical support for people serving a community sentence who have ADHD together with a lack of support and training about ADHD for probation staff. Return to the national organisation of probation services and recognition of need for a range of relevant skills offers a great opportunity for re-evaluating supervision and management of offenders under community sentences who have ADHD. These findings provide the basis for a template for developing knowledge and support provision for probation staff to recognise ADHD, or its likelihood, and their capacity to follow through with appropriately informed personalised supervision plans and access to specialist service advice and support.

Juvenile Recidivism in Bangladesh: An Exploratory Study on Juvenile Development Center, Gazipur

Juvenile Recidivism is relatively new and legal term in modern world which stimulates the repetition of criminal behavior among the juvenile. Juvenile delinquent and juvenile recidivist activity has been increased due to the Development of technology, indiscrimination, unplanned modernization, industrialization, urbanization and over politicization. Juvenile Recidivism mostly incites the future evils younger generation due to severe and heinous effect of consequent juvenile criminal behavior among the juvenile. On the basis of this problem, juvenile recidivism in Bangladesh has been studied to explore what are main causes of juvenile recidivism in Bangladesh and also to identify which social factor is responsible for being to be juvenile recidivism as well as to justify how juvenile become a juvenile recidivist from the early stage of lives. Qualitative method has been used in the study within in-depth interviewing as well as face to face conversation. The major findings of the study is poverty, lack of parental care, bad peer group, living in slum area, engaged with unreported adult criminal, gang and political leader which are directly influence juvenile to commit the criminal activity for this reason juvenile turn into a juvenile recidivist. It had also found that sexual and drugs related offences are committed by the maximum number of juvenile recidivist in Bangladesh. Finally it had found that lack of proper treatment in Development center, inexperienced probation officer and lack of legal juvenile court or juvenile justice system is also increasing juvenile recidivist in Bangladesh.

Using Implementation Outcomes to Inform Implementation of Suicide Risk Screening with Juvenile Legal-Involved Youth: Considerations for Task-Shifting Suicide Screening to Juvenile Legal Staff

ABSTRACT Youth in the juvenile legal system (JLS) are at increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Examine the acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness of imbedding suicide screening and intervention in the JLS. The current study involved formative semi-structured interviews with key JLS stakeholders (n = 37) from two states, one in the Northeast and one in the Midwest, to determine whether suicide screening and intervention could be integrated into the role of juvenile probation officers. Stakeholders discussed perspectives on the acceptability (perceived JLS staff comfort with suicide screening and a brief intervention), feasibility (improving comfort of staff, youth, and families), and appropriateness (perceived impact on youth and families). Qualitative data suggested acceptability of suicide screening was mitigated by staff comfort and perceived support of available clinical resources. Feasibility of improving staff comfort to conduct suicide screening and a brief intervention revolved around logistical, training, and supervisory support. Barriers to the appropriateness of suicide screening and intervention with youth in the JLS suggest concerns about how youth’s distrust of the JLS and mental health stigma might impact engagement in suicide screening and intervention efforts. We conclude with implementation strategy considerations to enhance successful suicide screening and intervention by JLS staff.

How to become a probation officer: education and new model of professional training for probation officers in Poland

How to become a probation officer: education and new model of professional training for probation officers in Poland

The Social Media, Online and Digital Abuse and Harassment of Social Workers, Probation Officers and Social Work Students in Ireland: A National Survey

Abstract An estimated five billion people use social media globally. The digital world enables networking and community-building beyond geographical and jurisdictional boundaries, it can facilitate information-sharing and knowledge development, and facilitates speedy access and communications links. On the other hand, digital and social media platforms can also be sources and purveyors of hurt, discrimination, defamation, hatred, abuse, cyberbullying and disinformation. Their increased usage within professional practice has become a nascent area for scholarly debate and research. Our scoping literature search indicated that there are very few studies examining this issue within the profession. This article seeks to address a considerable gap in the research by reporting the findings from an exploratory study in Ireland focusing on social workers, probation officers and social work students. Three hundred seventy-nine participants completed an online survey on their experiences of using social media, with eighty-three (21.9 per cent) participants indicating that they had experienced online and digital abuse and harassment. Facebook, Twitter (now X), and email were the top three sources of abuse and harassment by platform.

Perceptions of probation officer procedural justice, low self‐control, and recidivism after release from prison

AbstractPurposeLegal authorities who engage in procedurally just practices may reduce the likelihood of people offending, while low self‐control is a known risk factor for offending.MethodsUsing data from the Prison Project, this study examines whether self‐control conditions the impact of perceived probation officer procedural justice on recidivism for people on probation in the Netherlands.ResultsControlling for demographics and criminal history, procedural justice and low self‐control were both significantly associated with recidivism in the theoretically expected directions. However, no interaction was found between self‐control and procedural justice, suggesting the relationship between perceived fairness and recidivism does not significantly differ across levels of self‐control.ConclusionsThe findings support the generality of procedural justice effects on compliance, regardless of individual traits. In practice, procedural justice may improve outcomes even among people at higher risk on probation.

Eliminating the Adversarial Role of the Probation Office

Eliminating the Adversarial Role of the Probation Office

The Role of Probation Officer in Handling Children in Conflict with the Law Under the Age of 12 at the Class I Correctional Center in Palembang, South Sumatra

The Role of Probation Officer in Handling Children in Conflict with the Law Under the Age of 12 at the Class I Correctional Center in Palembang, South Sumatra

Exploring the Impact of Gender Based Violence on Girl Child Education in Rukungiri District of Uganda

This study explores the impact of gender-based violence on girlchild education in Rukungiri District of Uganda. Data, for the study, were collected using questionnaires and a sample of 50 respondents. The study found that primary school girls experience gender-based violence, which causes metal health problems, anxiety, increased diseases, impairment, isolation, and increased tolerance, trauma, hostile environment, stress, poor influence on girl child, and poor government policy. Based on these, the study calls for the government to monitor, control, and enforce laws favouring all human rights through headteachers and teachers to prepare its people and nation. More so, political, local leaders, civil servants like parish chiefs and sub-county chiefs, church leaders like priests, and well-wishers should also be involved in fighting gender-based violence because of their credibility in their communities and their involvement will boost community response. Given civil servants' effectiveness in fighting gender-based violence, especially probation and community development officers in central division, mobilisation and sanitization programmes should be expanded to the district and country at large. Keywords: Developing countries, Gender based violence, Girl-child, Human rights, Torture

Changes in Probation Officer Behavior and Caseload Recidivism Following Training in Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques

Implementation of risk-need-responsivity principles in probation has fostered the development of programs that train probation officers (POs) to directly address clients’ criminogenic needs during office visits. This study examined changes in PO office visit behavior and changes in caseload recidivism rates, following participation in the Forensic Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques (CB t) training program. Training was delivered to 39 POs over 10 sessions. PO behavior and skills were assessed using pre- and posttraining audio-recorded office visits. Coders blind to the pre/post nature of the recordings rated them on multiple variables across three domains: (1) Use of CB t, (2) Office Visit Content, and (3) Communication/Relationship Building skills. At posttraining, POs demonstrated increased use of CB t, greater focus on criminogenic needs, and improved communication skills. Overall, caseload recidivism rates declined posttraining. Despite challenges, training programs like Forensic CB t are associated with more skilled interactions during office visits and reductions in recidivism.

Próba implementacji kurateli klinicznej i menedżeryzmu w dozorach probacyjnych

Introduction: At present in many countries the model of the work of probation officers has been subordinated to the case management method. In the Ministry of Justice started work on combining the resocialization treatment by probation officers with the assessment of recidivism risk in convicts classified into three groups of recidivism. In this manner, the probation methodology can shift from educational purposes to prevention and control. The principal goal of the proposed solutions was to turn probation officers into a professional service responsible for the protection of society and probationers themselves against next criminal acts. Research Aim: This is a review article. Its purpose to present the course of the reform of guardianship for adults after the political transformation. Evidence-based Facts: While preparing new solutions did not pay sufficient attention to the moment of implementation of the proposed recidivism risk management model into the practice of conducting probation supervisions, grading of control and adjustment of resocialization programs to different risk groups. The unprofessional implementation of the recidivism risk management model may result in the mass exclusion of the convicted persons from resocialization in an open environment. Summary: The probation officers were not prepared to recognize the criminogenic needs of the probationers. When formulating forecast, they use a very limited list of predictors of the future criminal behaviour of the probationers. This means that the probation officers must be equipped with appropriate, reliable, proven and structured recidivism risk estimation tools.

The prevalence of job-related risks and their impact on the job stress and job satisfaction of probation officers in Korea.

The prevalence of job-related risks and their impact on the job stress and job satisfaction of probation officers in Korea.

Procedural justice and probation officer legitimacy: Testing the process-based model in community supervision

PurposeThis study provides an empirical test of Tyler's (2006) process-based model by investigating the relationship between procedural justice, legitimacy, and felt obligation to obey among people sanctioned to county-level probation. MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, self-reported data were collected from a sample of individuals on probation in a western state (n = 185). Confirmatory factor analyses and full structural equation modeling were used to test a measurement and structural component on the relationship between procedural justice and clients' legitimacy and obligation to obey. ResultsResults demonstrate construct and discriminant validity across measures of client's procedural justice and legitimacy attitudes. In addition, SEM results revealed a positive and statistically significant association between procedural justice with probationers' legitimacy beliefs. In addition, perceived legitimacy was associated with clients' felt obligation to obey their probation officer, though indirect effects were non-significant but potentially suggested partial mediation. ConclusionsThis study provides empirical evidence supporting the positive relationship between perceptions of procedural justice with clients' legitimacy and perceived PO legitimacy with their felt obligation. Study results highlight key theoretical and policy considerations regarding the measurement and application of the process-based model in community corrections.

A koronavírus-járvány hatása a magyar közigazgatásra, különös tekintettel a pártfogó felügyelői eljárásokra

Aim: The aim of the study is the impact of the Covid–19 epidemic and the epidemiological measures on the work of probation officers. As a result of the pandemic, what changes have occurred in the operation of the public administration, including the effective provision of guardianship duties. Methodology: The processing of the topic is descriptive research, which was prepared according to the available study and methodological guide. Such a study, in the author’s opinion, minimises bias and maximises reliability. Findings: As a result of the epidemic, a number of tasks to be solved appeared, which required immediate realisation of the state in order to work efficiently and smoothly. Value: Further scientific consideration of the topic and the updating of regulations seem justified, as it is possible that we can find ourselves in a similar situation in the future.

Procedural Justice Spill-Over and Recidivism After Release From Prison

The importance of procedural justice for reducing criminal behavior has been demonstrated in numerous criminal justice contexts. However, to date, no study has evaluated the impact of procedural justice in encounters with multiple authorities on recidivism. Using longitudinal data from the Prison Project, this study examines the associations between perceptions of prison staff procedural justice, probation officer procedural justice, and recidivism during a 12-month follow-up period. Findings indicate that detainees who felt treated fairly by prison staff, perceived their probation officer to be fairer, and, subsequently, they had a lower likelihood of getting reconvicted. How prison staff are perceived by people in prison may impact those people’s perceptions of their probation officers which in turn may affect their offending behavior.

Juvenile probation officers’ lived experiences of collaboration with clinical mental health counselors: An interpretive phenomenological analysis

Juvenile probation officers’ lived experiences of collaboration with clinical mental health counselors: An interpretive phenomenological analysis

Perceptions of Probation Officer Procedural Justice and Recidivism: A Longitudinal Study in the Netherlands

The importance of procedural justice for reducing offending behavior has been demonstrated in numerous contexts and among various criminal justice authorities. However, to date, few studies have evaluated the importance of procedural justice in the probation officer–client relationship. Understanding how to reduce offending and prevent recidivism among people on probation is important as this group represents people among the most likely to engage in future offending. Using longitudinal data from the Prison Project, this study examines the association between perceptions of probation officer procedural justice, felt obligation to obey the law, and recidivism during a 12-month follow-up period. Results indicate that procedural justice is associated with a greater felt obligation to obey the law and lower odds of recidivism. Like other criminal justice authorities, how probation officers interact with their clients may impact their clients’ offending behavior.

Exploring the Impact of Rehabilitation and Custody Orientations on Workplace Experiences of Juvenile Probation and Detention Officers

Prior research has suggested that juvenile justice staff’s support for rehabilitation is important for the success of their juvenile clients. The purpose of this article was to assess how rehabilitation and punishment orientations impacted burnout, secondary trauma, job stress, and job satisfaction among juvenile probation and detention officers. Results indicated that having more of a rehabilitation orientation did not demonstrate direct effects on the workplace outcomes included in this study. However, staff who indicated more of a punishment orientation were less likely to report emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment, as well as less job stress, but were more likely to report feelings of depersonalization.