NCJ Number
86660
Editor(s)
C R Bevan,
A J Watt
Date Published
1981
Length
88 pages
Annotation
A series of seminar papers on probation in Australia considers the problems and opportunities of modern probation, the myth of probation consent, probation innovations, and problems with probation as an alternative to imprisonment, and background papers describe probation in various Australian States and Territories.
Abstract
Following the presentation of a consensual statement on the definition and functions of probation and the current objectives with which probation officers are concerned, the two seminar resolutions are provided. The first seminar paper focuses on the content and sources of probation ideology, innovation in probation and administration, and the future of probation. The paper on the myth of consent in probation argues that probation in Australia should cease to be viewed as a consensual rehabilitative arrangement between the offender and the court in lieu of a punitive sentence and be instituted as a sentence itself that does not involve consent; this will put probation on a more realistic basis. The overview of probation innovations in Australia considers pretrial and presentence reports, supervision, and the use of a consultant/advisory group to provide input for community-based sanctions. The essay that discusses problems with probation as an alternative to imprisonment maintains that the most significant problem with expanding the use of probation is that it may add to the proportion of the population under state control without reducing the prison population. One background paper discusses probation in the Australian States and Territories, considering such issues as background qualifications for probation officers, probation officer functions, probation innovations, and efforts to recruit Aboriginal probation officers. Other background papers cover probation as an alternative to imprisonment in New South Wales, probation and parole in South Australia, and probation in the Northern Territory. Footnotes accompany most of the presentations. For individual entries, see NCJ 86661-66.