Examining the Predictors of Juveniles Probation Officers' Rehabilitation Orientation

• NCJ Number: 224781
• Journal: Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 36 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2008 Pages: 381-388
• Author(s): Vera Lopez; Margaret Russell
• Date Published: September 2008
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The study examined whether probation officers’ perceptions of juveniles’ social supports and degree of cultural competency predicted rehabilitation orientation.

Abstract

Results indicate that the work/role model and the perception sets of variables in the study were predictive of juvenile probation officers’ orientation. Specifically, the work/role model set was predictive of rehabilitation orientation over and above the importation and the perception sets, which underscores the importance of using systematic rotational assignment systems within juvenile justice settings advocating balance approaches to juvenile justice. Whereas, the perception set was predictive of rehabilitation orientation over and above the work/role model set highlighting the need to develop linkages between juvenile justice personnel, families, and communities. The study contributes to the relatively sparse literature on juvenile probation officers’ perceptions of offenders. Probation officers are key players within the juvenile justice arena. Research shows that probation officers are frontline workers who are directly involved with juvenile offenders and play a major role when it comes to influencing disposition outcomes and other important decisions pertaining to juvenile offenders. In light of research indicating that probation officers and other correctional staff use discretion that is often at odds with overarching organizational goals and objectives, the study sought to examine other factors that influenced probation officers’ correctional orientation. In particular, the study examined three sets of variables (individual attributes, work-related experiences, and perceptions of one’s own cultural competency and juveniles’ social supports), two of which were theoretically driven, as predictors of juvenile probation officers’ correctional orientation. Then, the study examined the relative contributions of individual variables as predictors of correctional orientation. Tables and references