Basic Fundamental Skills Training for Juvenile Probation Officers: Results of a Nationwide Survey of Curriculum Content

• NCJ Number: 201332
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 67 Issue: 1 Dated: June 2003 Pages: 41-45
• Author(s): Frances P. Reddington; Betsy Wright Kreisel
• Editor(s): Ellen Wilson Fielding
• Date Published: June 2003
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Findings are presented from a nationwide study which examined the content of basic fundamental skills training of juvenile probation officers and compared this information to the nationally recommended training curriculum outlined by the National Center for Juvenile Justice (NCJJ).

Abstract

With the changing face of juvenile probation, the training of juvenile probation officers to do their jobs has assumed greater importance. Prior research examined the trends and patterns of juvenile probation officer training practices and found that 36 States mandated some type of juvenile probation officer training, while others recommend training. In this study survey responses were collected from 35 different States for a response rate of 69 percent. Survey findings indicate that most of the States responding mandate, and the others highly recommend training of newly employed juvenile probation officers. One week or 40 hours of fundamental skills training is found to be a common length of training. When asked about the frequency of offering fundamental skills training, the common reply was biannually or quarterly. Five States responded that juvenile probation officers receive their training in common with the training of employees in the adult criminal system. Lastly, all but one State responded that they train their juvenile probation officers to work with delinquent offenders. When each State’s juvenile probation officer fundamental skills training curriculum was examined, the National Center for Juvenile Justice’s (NCJJ) Fundamental Skills Curriculum was used as a baseline measure. As outlined by the Curriculum, only one State provided all types of training. Probation Officer Safety was prioritized by the States as the most commonly offered training. Over 75 percent of the States offer safety training in the basic fundamental skills training package. Overall, States are offering juvenile probation officers fundamental skills training utilizing some topic area suggested by the NCJJ Curriculum. Tables and references