NCJ Number
62948
Date Published
1977
Length
7 pages
Annotation
VARIOUS ELEMENTS COMPRISING RESOURCES OF ENGLISH PROBATION SERVICE PROGRAMS AND AGENCIES ARE CONSIDERED FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPROVING THE COORDINATED USE OF PROBATION AGENCY OBJECTIVES.
Abstract
THE THREE PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF PROBATION AND AFTER-CARE SERVICES ARE BENEFICIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CLIENT, PREVENTION OF DELINQUENCY, AND WELL-BEING OF THE TOTAL COMMUNITY. THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ACHIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES CAN BE DESIGNATED AS SUFFICIENT OR INSUFFICIENT BUT ONLY WHEN CONSIDERED IN DIRECT RELATION TO THE TASKS WHICH THE SERVICE UNDERTAKES. AN INSUFFICIENT SITUATION IS OPEN TO REMEDY NOT ONLY BY AN INCREASE IN THE RESOURCES BUT ALSO BY THE REMOVAL OF CERTAIN TASKS AND THE CLEAR ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK PRIORITIES. REDIRECTION OF EXISTING RESOURCES, OFTEN OVERLOOKED AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION, IS APPLICABLE TO BOTH PROFESSIONAL AND CLERICAL TASKS. FINANCE IS AN ADDED MEANS FOR THE PROVISION OF RESOURCES RATHER THAN A RESOURCE ITSELF. IT IS MEASURABLE WITH ESTABLISHED LIMITS. THE PROVISION OF ALL MATERIAL RESOURCES IS CLEARLY DEPENDENT ON FINANCIAL MEANS. THE MOST IMPORTANT SINGLE UNIT OF RESOURCE FOR PROBATION SERVICES IS THE INDIVIDUAL FIELD WORK OFFICER. HIGHER MANAGEMENT STAFF ARE THE RESOURCE PROVIDERS AND CONTROLLERS. CLERICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ARE SUPPORT PERSONNEL WHO ENABLE FIELD OFFICERS TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES EFFECTIVELY. VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY. TRAINING, TIME, COMMITMENT TO THE PROFESSION, AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES ARE MORE INTANGIBLE RESOURCES, BUT THEY MOST BE CONSIDERED IN ANY POLICY PLANNING REVIEW. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED IN THE PAPER. (LWM)