NCJ Number
50296
Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OFFENDER THERAPY Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: (1969) Pages: 117-119
Date Published
1969
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE SYSTEM OF PROBATION OF ADULTS AND JUVENILES IN POLAND IS DESCRIBED AS IT WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 1961.
Abstract
POLISH COURTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO PLACE CONVICTED OFFENDERS ON PROBATION, AND DETAILED DIRECTIONS CONCERNING THE TYPE OF OFFENDER SUITABLE FOR PROBATION HAVE BEEN ISSUED. THE DIRECTIONS ALSO SPECIFY CONDITIONS THAT CAN OR SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO PROBATION, THE DURATION OF PROBATION, THE SYSTEM OF PROBATION SUPERVISION, AND CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH PROBATION CAN OR MUST BE REVOKED. THE OFFENDER FIRST RECEIVES A DEFINITE SENTENCE THAT IS SUBSEQUENTLY SUSPENDED. THE PERIOD OF PROBATION CORRESPONDS TO THE LENGTH OF THE SUSPENDED PRISON SENTENCE, USUALLY BETWEEN 2 AND 5 YEARS. PROBATION OFFICERS ARE UNPAID AND WORK ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, ALTHOUGH THE COURTS REFUND THEIR EXPENSES. THEY ARE SELECTED FROM THE RANKS OF TEACHERS, MILITARY OFFICERS, LAWYERS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONS. AS OF JANUARY 1968, ABOUT 40,000 PROBATIONERS WERE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF 7,000 PROBATION OFFICERS. DUE TO THIS VOLUME, IT BECAME NECESSARY TO APPOINT SEVERAL FULL-TIME PAID PROBATION OFFICERS TO COUNSEL AND SUPERVISE VOLUNTARY OFFICERS, TO ALLOCATE PROBATIONERS, AND TO ORGANIZE THE ENTIRE PROBATION SYSTEM. SPECIAL CONDITIONS MAY BE ATTACHED TO PROBATION, SUCH AS RESTITUTION TO THE VICTIM, AND PROBATION MAY BE REVOKED UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. JUVENILE DELINQUENTS UNDER 17 YEARS OF AGE MAY BE PLACED ON PROBATION IF THEY HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO A DEFINITE PERIOD IN A TRAINING SCHOOL. PROBATION HAS PROVEN TO BE EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING RECIDIVISM. (DEP)