CREATING A WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROBATIONER AND PROBATION OFFICER - ASSUMPTIONS AND DIFFICULTIES

• NCJ Number: 44121
• Journal: Bewaehrungshilfe Volume: 24 Issue: 1 Dated: (1977) Pages: 54-65
• Author(s): B STUECK; B MOESSINGER
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: German
• Country: West Germany (Former)

Annotation

PROBLEMS RAISED BY THE CONFLICT BETWEEN SOCIAL WORK AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS IN PROBATION ARE CONSIDERED.

Abstract

THE PARADOXICAL POSITION OF THE PROBATION OFFICER WHOSE RESPONSIBILITIES SHOULD BE EQUALLY DIVIDED BETWEEN HELP AND CONTROL IS AFFECTED BY THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: (1) WORK GOALS, (2) POSITION OF POWER IN REGARD TO THE PROBATIONER, (3) COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS, AND (4) INITIAL CONTACT WITH THE PROBATIONER AND DEVELOPMENT OF A WORKING RELATIONSHIP. THE PROBATION OFFICER SHOULD AIM AT A RELATIONSHIP THAT PROVIDES A POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENT OF THE PROBATIONER'S SOCIAL, INTELLECTUAL AND PHYSICAL SITUATION. A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP IS BASED ON MUTUAL TRUST. AS THE PROBATIONER HAS TO FOLLOW CERTAIN RULES IMPOSED BY THE COURT AND THE PROBATION OFFICER IS REQUIRED TO REPORT ALL INFRACTIONS TO THE AUTHORITIES, DIFFICULTIES IN THE RELATIONSHIP MAY RESULT FROM THE OFFICER'S POWER POSITION. FURTHER OBSTACLES ARE COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS WITH THE PROBATIONER DUE TO A SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT UNFAMILIAR TO THE PROBATION OFFICER. THE SUSPICION OF THE PROBATIONER IS OFTEN BASED ON NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT AND HE MAY ONLY ACCEPT THE PROBATION OFFICER AFTER A MEASURABLE SUCCESS, LIKE FINDING A JOB OR ACCOMMODATION FOR HIM. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT DURING INITIAL TALKS THE PROBATIONER SHOULD NOT BE LECTURED BUT ENCOURAGED TO EXPRESS HIS OWN IDEAS AND EXPECTATIONS ABOUT HIS PROBATION TIME. THE PROBATION OFFICER SHOULD ALWAYS KEEP A CERTAIN DISTANCE TO AVOID GETTING EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED WITH THE PROBATIONER. THEIR RELATIONSHIP SHOULD BE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL. AT THE END, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN INSTITUTION THAT PUNISHES AND OFFERS HELP AT THE SAME TIME IS QUESTIONED. A FRIEND/FOE ATTITUDE MAY BE CAUSED IN DELINQUENTS WHICH DOES NOT HELP TO IMPROVE DEVIANT BEHAVIOR. THESE CIRCUMSTANCES RAISE THE QUESTIONS WHETHER SOCIAL WORK IN PROBATION SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED, THE QUALIFICATIONS OF SOCIAL WORKERS DRASTICALLY IMPROVED, OR INSTITUTIONS INDEPENDENT FROM LEGAL AUTHORITIES BE INTRODUCED FOLLOWING THE DUTCH MODEL. SOURCE MATERIAL IS QUOTED. --IN GERMAN. (ING)