NCJ Number
159534
Date Published
1995
Length
57 pages
Annotation
This guide is a compilation of practices that chief probation officers and line staff consider effective and of possible interest to other districts.
Abstract
Participants at a Federal Judicial Center symposium selected the practices that are included in this publication. One section describes eight responsibilities for chief probation officers. One responsibility is to educate judicial officers, employees of the court and court-related agencies, and the public about the need for and value of pretrial services. A second responsibility is to maintain liaison regularly with judicial officers. A chief should also maintain a system of communication through which pertinent information is provided to court personnel at all levels. A chief should establish and maintain cooperative relationships with all members of the criminal justice system and also advise the court of the eligibility, availability, and capacity of local agencies to provide employment, medical, legal, and social services. A chief should develop, implement, and maintain a system for monitoring and evaluating pretrial release programs. Further, a chief should work with court executive and support agencies in analyzing and facilitating courtwide operational effectiveness. Finally, a chief should keep the court apprised of new developments in the areas of pretrial release, treatment, supervision, and alternatives to prosecution. Below the description of each responsibility, the guide lists those communication practices symposium participants considered appropriate for fulfilling the responsibility. Practices derived from both the survey and participants' experiences are included. Meetings with judicial officers are viewed as an effective communication practice in each area of responsibility. Seventeen communication practices are presented in two sections. A segment advises chiefs on how to use the practice effectively. Practices are divided into two sections: one on working with people and another on working with written materials.