Establishment and Early Years of the Federal Probation System

• NCJ Number: 106686
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 51 Issue: 2 Dated: special issue (June 1987) Pages: 4-9
• Author(s): S Bates
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For microfiche, see NCJ-106685.

Annotation

The development of the Federal probation system is traced from its beginning in a 1925 law to its extension into a constructive correctional force.

Abstract

In 1925, the National Probation Association succeeded in having a bill passed placing probation under the U.S. Department of Justice. Until then, only the States used probation. From 1927 to 1929 $25,000 was appropriated to appoint only eight salaried probation officers, and an unsatisfactory system of unpaid or voluntary officers developed. In 1930, the 1925 bill was amended, allowing judges to appoint without reference to the civil service list. The Attorney General was made responsible for developing and coordinating the probation system. The limitation of only one officer for each district was was removed. The Attorney General was authorized under the Bureau of Prisons to appoint an agent to record forms, investigate the different officers, and promote efficient administration. The annual appropriation was raised to $200,000 for 40 officers. Joel R. Moore of Detroit became the probation supervisor, persuading judges to accept the program. He developed qualifications of a successful probation officer as guides for judges who selected the new appointees. The staff was professionalized into a branch of social service through mail contacts and group instruction. In 1930, there were 4,222 probationers under 8 officers in 10 districts. In 1931, there were 14,175 probationers and 993 parolees under 63 officers in 55 districts. Money was saved, and over $220,000 was collected in fines from parolees. During the last 35 years, Congress has passed criminal laws resulting in quadrupling the number of persons arrested by Federal agents, placing the burden of apprehension, trial, and punishment of these new groups of offenders on the Federal Government. Federal probation, now under the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, has 304 officers and an annual appropriation of approximately $2,300,000. Each district court has one or more probation offices. 4 footnotes.