NCJ Number
12603
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 37 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1973) Pages: 14-17
Date Published
1973
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE PROBATION OFFICER'S AND PAROLE AGENT'S FUNCTION AND TECHNIQUES IN A COUNSELING ROLE CAN KEEP CLIENTS DEPENDENT AND IMMATURE.
Abstract
SEVERAL EXAMPLES ARE GIVEN TO DEMONSTRATE WEAKNESSES IN THE COUNSELING PROCESS WITH PROBATIONERS AND PAROLEES, INCLUDING FINDING JOBS FOR CLIENTS AND LETTING LITTLE THINGS SLIP BY, SUCH AS FAILURE TO KEEP APPOINTMENTS, MAKE PAYMENTS, OR BEING CONSISTENTLY LATE. CORRECTIONAL AGENCIES CREATE LIMITS AND DEFINE AREAS OF INVOLVEMENT THROUGH POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THEREBY GIVING THE WORKER A MEANS OF AVOIDING RESPONSIBILITY FOR DECISIONS HE SHOULD MAKE. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT CORRECTIONAL WORKERS BE HONEST WITH THEIR CLIENTS AND TAKE THE PERSONAL RISK OF BREAKING DOWN SOME OF THE BARRIERS WHICH EXIST BETWEEN CLIENTS AND WORKERS AND INHIBIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF CLIENTS AS INDEPENDENT AND MATURE INDIVIDUALS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)