NCJ Number
73500
Date Published
1980
Length
51 pages
Annotation
The roles and expectations of probation officers and pyschiatrists in carrying out psychiatric probation orders in Great Britain are examined; the importance of cooperation between the two groups is emphasized.
Abstract
The sample of probation order cases included 89 males and 29 females with a concentration in the young adult age group. More than two-thirds of the orders had been in effect for over 12 months when the study was conducted. The survey showed that some consultation between psychiatrists and probation officers took place, but it was usually brief and impersonal. Of the 110 psychiartic reports 90 made no mention of the probation officer's role, even though many specifically recommended treatment under a probation order. Of the others, eight simply referred to 'support,' 'guidance,' or 'supervision' by the officer. Neither the psychiatrists' reports nor the probation officers' reports were very precise about goals or methods; for example, only 44 of the social inquiry reports set forth the goals of intervention. Furthermore, although psychiatrists expressed little dissatisfaction about the probation officers' role, they displayed no detailed knowledge of the officers' actual functions. The study pinpoints the preparation of reports as the key to improving understanding and goodwill between the two main professionals. Recommendations are given for case management, professional training programs, and sentencing policies. Appendixes contain the Powers of Criminal Courts Act, statistics, and an extract from the Butler Report. A bibliography provides 45 references.