Identifying the Actual and Preferred Goals of Adult Probation

• NCJ Number: 124915
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1990) Pages: 10-15
• Author(s): T Ellsworth
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Earlier version presented at the annual meeting of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, March 15, 1990, Denver, Colorado.

Annotation

It is the prevailing belief that if the probation field is able to define its meaning, then the goals of the probation system will logically flow from that definition.

Abstract

The focus of this research is on whether or not probation professionals have adopted a particular orientation which they attempt to implement when supervising adult probationers. For the study, 703 adult probation professionals were sent a survey which was constructed to reflect common practices of enforcement and rehabilitation in probation work. Results showed that probation professionals clearly view probation goals as equally focused on both enforcement and rehabilitation. This finding is important given the public's demand that probation should apply its energies in the direction of enforcement-oriented practices. The finding of a dual-goal system is important as well because in the 1980's community, corrections systems clearly focused on the enforcement aspect of offender supervision. 4 tables, 25 references.