NCJ Number
172410
Journal
Perspectives Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1990) Pages: 16-19
Date Published
1990
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Juvenile probation began in 1898 and was originally envisioned and remains an indispensable resource to the successful administration of juvenile and family courts.
Abstract
Juvenile probation was first established in Massachusetts. Probation officers in that State were originally appointed and supervised by the police; in 1891, the appointing and supervision powers were transferred to the courts. Probation became mandatory statewide in 1898. Rhode Island, New Jersey, and New York subsequently enacted probation laws; Minnesota and Illinois passed juvenile probation laws in 1899. The evolution of probation in general and juvenile probation in particular has been influenced by many organizations, particularly the National Probation Association, which was founded in 1907. Several probation officers and a few energetic and articulate juvenile court judges were also responsible for the rapid development of juvenile probation. However, numerous difficulties and challenges emerged during the 1960s and 1970s. Juvenile probation currently has much the same mission and form as originally conceived. Issues that continued to be debated include the organizational location, local versus State administration, workload, methods, diagnosis and classification, private versus public administration of probation services, and performance measurement. Some of these issues will probably be debated in the future as well. 12 references