MARYLAND - LEGITIMACY OF VOLUNTEERS IN THE JUVENILE COURTS - AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

• NCJ Number: 59206
• Author(s): C L KAUFMAN
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 203 pages
• Grant Number(s): 77-NI-99-0044
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND - DOCTORAL DISSERTATION

Annotation

A DOCTORAL DISSERTATION EXAMINES THE LEGITIMACY OF THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AS A RESOURCE OF JUVENILE COURT SERVICES IN MARYLAND. THE OPERATION AND ITS COSTS ARE EXAMINED AND EVALUATED AND RECOMMENDATIONS MADE.

Abstract

IN MARYLAND, VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN JUVENILE COURTS WERE FEDERALLY FUNDED FOR 3-7 YEARS. FOLLOWING THIS, THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS WERE SUPPORTED BY STATE FUNDS. THE USE OF VOLUNTEERS IN A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ROLE IS A RECENT PHENOMENON. TEN PATTERNS OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE VOLUNTEER AND THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE WERE WORKED OUT AS A BASIS FOR DETERMINING LEGITIMACY. THE UNDERLYING QUESTIONS EXAMINED ARE: DO FEDERAL, STATE, AND AGENCY POLICIES, STATUTES, AND BUDGETS LEGITIMIZE A PROGRAM; AND DO AGENCY STAFF'S, JUDGES' AND VOLUNTEERS' SUPPORT LEGITIMIZE A PROGRAM. JUDGES, STAFF, AND VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATING IN THE JUVENILE SERVICES SYSTEM RECEIVED A QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGNED TO MEASURE THEIR ATTITUDES ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM. BACKGROUND MATERIAL WAS OBTAINED FROM 30 INTERVIEWS: 15 STAFF, 7 JUDGES, AND 8 VOLUNTEERS IN THE PROGRAM. THE INTERVIEWS PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS INCLUDING EXISTING DESIGN, JOB DESCRIPTIONS, KNOWLEDGE, AND GOALS. THE MANY PATTERNS OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, FINDING, AND OTHER ITEMS WERE EXAMINED TO DETERMINE THE PERCEIVED LEGITIMACY OF THE PROGRAM. DATA COLLECTION AND INSTRUMENTS ARE DESCRIBED. THE ANALYSIS OF THE CONCEPT OF LEGITIMACY PROCEEDED IN FOUR WAYS: (1) ANALYSIS OF LAWS, DOCUMENTS, POLITICIES AND MATERIALS WHICH TOGETHER PROVIDE A RATIONAL AUTHORITY FOR A LEGITIMATE PROGRAM; (2) INFORMATION GATHERED FROM INTEVIEWS FOR BACKGROUND MATERIAL; (3) ANALYSIS OF QUESTIONNAIRE DATA; AND (4) USE OF FACTOR ANALYSIS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ITEMS AND TO PROVIDE A METHOD FOR SEARCHING OR SET OF FACTORS WHICH WOULD REINFORCE THE PATTERN OF LEGITIMACY AS CONCEPTUALIZED. TO ESTABLISH LEGITIMACY, RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE A STRONGER PUBLIC COMMITMENT, INCREASED BUDGET, HIGH LEVEL FULL-TIME COORDINATORS, AND ADDITIONAL STATISTICAL AND EVALUATIVE APPENDIXES INCLUDE PERTINENT STATUTES, LETTERS, AND APPENDIXES INCLUDE PERTINENT STATUTES, LETTERS, AND EXCERPTS FROM ANNUAL REPORTS. TABLES AND MAPS OF JUVENILE SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR, THE QUESTIONNAIRE, AND FACTOR ANALYSIS DATA ARE GIVEN. A BIBLIOGRAPHY COMPLETES THE TEXT. AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--RFC)