SPECIALIZED SUPERVISION IN PROBATION - IMPLICATIONS, RESEARCH AND ISSUES

• NCJ Number: 68855
• Journal: Prison Journal Volume: 59 Issue: 2 Dated: (AUTUMN-WINTER 1979) Pages: 27-35
• Author(s): E LATESSA; E PARKS; H E ALLEN; E CARLSON
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 9 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PART OF THE ASSESSMENT OF CRITICAL ISSUES OF ADULT PROBATION, CONDUCTED BY THE PROGRAM FOR THE STUDY OF CRIME AND DELINQUENCY, OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

Annotation

THE ISSUES OF GENERALIZED VERSUS SPECIALIZED PROBATION CASELOADS INVOLVE ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS, SUCH AS FUNDING, AVAILABILITY OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES, TARGET POPULATIONS, AND EXPERTISE.

Abstract

SPECIALIST PROBATION OFFICERS OR UNITS HANDLE JUST ONE TYPE OF OFFENDER, WHILE GENERALISTS HANDLE A CROSS-SECTION OF CASES, IRRESPECTIVE OF OFFENDER SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS. SPECIALISTS DEVELOP EXPERTISE IN THE PROBLEMS AND SERVICES OF SPECIAL PROBATIONERS, AND GENERALISTS DELIVER A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES TO BOTH PROBATIONERS AND THE AGENCY. PROBATION ADMINISTRATORS COMMITTED TO THE GENERALIST PHILOSOPHY CLAIM SPECIALIZED UNITS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE TO RECRUIT, TRAIN, AND OPERATE, GIVEN THE WIDE AVAILABILITY OF COMMUNITY SERVICES. ADMINISTRATORS DEFENDING SPECIALIZED UNITS CLAIM THAT GENERALIZED SUPERVISION CANNOT PROVIDE INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT FOR 'SPECIAL OFFENDERS.' ARIZONA'S PIMA COUNTY ADULT PROBATION DEPARTMENT PROVIDES SPECIAL SERVICES TO MENTALLY DEFICIENT AND MENTALLY RETARDED PROBATIONERS. WASHINGTON STATE'S WHATCOM COUNTY DISTRICT COURT HAS A SPECIALIZED MISDEMEANANT PROBATION PROGRAM TO HANDLE PROBATIONERS OF ALCOHOL-RELATED OFFENSES. THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ADULT PROBATION IMPLEMENTED SPECIALIZED DRUG UNITS IN 1972. THE MARYLAND SPECIAL OFFENDER'S CLINIC WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1972; AND LOS ANGELES HAS A NARCOTIC TREATMENT AND CONTROL UNIT. MOST OF THESE SPECIALIZED UNITS TEND TO MANAGE THEIR PROBATIONERS ON REDUCED CASELOADS; UNFORTUNATELY, NONE HAVE RELIABLE DATA TO SHOW THAT THESE REDUCED CASELOADS REDUCE RECIDIVISM. NO ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE AT RIGOROUS, COMPREHENSIVE COST ANALYSIS OF SPECIALIZED UNITS. ALL OF THEM HAVE SHOWN THE NEED FOR ADEQUATE PLANNING AND STAFF RESOURCES, FULL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND REFERRAL SOURCES, AND AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AIMED AT BOTH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND THE LARGE PUBLIC COMMUNITIES WITHIN WHICH THE UNIT OPERATES. ALL MUST DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO RECRUIT SPECIALIZED OFFICERS FROM EXISTING OFFICER STAFF OR TO HIRE SPECIALISTS AND TRAIN THEM INSERVICE. FINALLY, THE DIVISION OF WORK IS PROBLEMATIC, WITH RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION AND INITIAL OFFENDER CLASSIFICATION. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED.