NCJ Number
117255
Journal
Federal Probation Quarterly Volume: 53 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1989) Pages: 3-9
Editor(s)
M J Keenan
Date Published
1989
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Practical aspects of implementing community service are examined, particularly for Federal probation officers who supervise offenders performing community service.
Abstract
Agencies considered for community service placement should be nonprofit, nondiscriminatory in volunteer acceptance for client service, meet valid community needs, not have as their primary purpose members' economic or social needs, have a 'job description' for the work to be performed by community service workers, and not displace paid workers with probationers. No referral to community service should be made to an agency until the probation officer has conducted a site visit, and probation officers should select a community service placement considering case merits and court objectives. After sentencing, an initial interview should be conducted to orient the probationer to community service and to identify the probationer's skills, interests, and abilities. The next step in the referral process is to match the offender with the most appropriate community service agency. Consideration must be given to the court's sentencing objectives, offender characteristics, and agency needs. Close contact among probation officers, offenders, and recipient agencies throughout the duration of community service is critical to insure continued offender compliance and satisfactory performance. The location of agencies for community placement is discussed. Issues to be considered in evaluating offender and recipient agency performance are outlined.