NCJ Number
101779
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 50 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1986) Pages: 25-31
Date Published
1986
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Since current probation formats have failed to reduce offender recidivism, offender supervision should be entrusted to other than probation agencies, and probation agencies should perform the feasible and unambiguous task of providing objective investigation services for the court.
Abstract
In an effort to establish a viable mission for probation, three formats have been proposed: the service orientation, differential supervision, and intensive supervision. The service orientation would remove surveillance from probation responsibilities, leaving the officer free to provide help and assistance to the offender. Differential supervision advocates relating type of probation supervision to each offender's risk potential. Intensive supervision programs use reduced caseloads to provide a punitive community-based alternative to prison. These probation approaches are not qualitatively different from other probation approaches that have proven ineffective in reducing recidivism. They are ineffective because of the emergence of organizational dynamics antithetical to program goals and the conflict in the interaction between probation officer and offender. Probation departments should be charged only with compiling and presenting court evaluations. If probation is recommended and treatment is required, these services would be provided by private agencies. Probationer monitoring would be a computerized function performed by court clerical employees. 61 references.