NCJ Number
87639
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 15 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1982) Pages: 207-218
Date Published
1982
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study attempted to determine whether some selected, dichotomized social variables (offender characteristics) would affect the recommendations or decisions of Australian probation officers at the presentence report stage. The variables studied were age, race, prior conviction, employment record, family background, and alcohol involvement.
Abstract
All combinations of the six variables were examined with the use of 11 hypothetical case histories. Probation officers were asked to decide on one of four alternative recommendations (i.e., bond, fine, probation, prison) for each hypothetical case. Of 281 questionnaires distributed to probation officers in New South Wales, South Australia, and the Northern Territory, 205 usable replies were received. The results indicate that probation officers do not consider offenders' use of alcohol as having a mitigating influence on their decisionmaking. There was a tendency for employed offenders to be recommended for fines. Older Aboriginal offenders were treated more leniently than older non-Aboriginal offenders; young offenders were treated alike irrespective of race. Age in general appeared to be a mitigating influence. Young offenders with a good family background were more frequently recommended for fines than young offenders who came from poor backgrounds. The most important variable influencing the decisionmaking process, however, was prior convictions. Tabular data and nine references are given.