NCJ Number
159536
Date Published
1993
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings of a 1992 survey that obtained data on juvenile probation officers, including information on some of the issues facing the profession in the 1990's.
Abstract
Using a random selection process, the survey was sent to over 3,000 probation administrators, supervisors, and line staff; over 1,197 responses from 48 States and the District of Columbia were received. Information was collected on such issues as demographic characteristics; job description and work history; salary, compensation, and benefits; organization and administration; education and training requirements; case supervision characteristics; job satisfaction; perceived needs; and emerging issues. Almost half of the respondents worked in urban departments, and 96 percent of the respondents had at least a 4-year college degree; 56 percent had postgraduate degrees or had taken graduate courses. Respondents had impressive experience in the field of juvenile probation, but more than three-quarters of all respondents earned less than $40,000 per year. More than half of the respondents were actively supervising a caseload of probationers; the size of their active caseloads ranged from 1-10 to over 400. Respondents were generally satisfied with their jobs. Commonly cited problems were lack of resources, understaffing, too many cases, job burnout, and not enough personal discretion. Information is also provided on reasons for becoming a juvenile probation officer, ingredients for improving job satisfaction, ingredients for enhancing careers, frustrations, and the ideal probation officer. 6 tables