NCJ Number
98518
Date Published
Unknown
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This study attempted to accurately assess judicial attitudes and their perception of adult probation supervision in Texas, specifically the Intensive Supervision Program (ISP).
Abstract
A questionnaire was distributed to all 254 district court judges in Texas, of which 137 (54 percent) responded. Responses showed that judges, in evaluating probation as a viable alternative to incarceration, want to know if the offender is nonoviolent and if experienced probation officers are available. Study results indicated that ISP judges considered treatment services available and more important than did non-ISP judges. The majority of ISP judges would use probation more often if more referral services were available and if probation caseloads were reduced. The availability of alcohol/drug abuse services, mental health services, vocational and educational training services, and residential treatment/halfway house facilities were also deemed important in judges' decisionmaking. The ISP judges considered vocational and educational training services availability much more important than did the non-ISP judges. The majority of judges felt that the greatest problem within their probation departments was the lack of probation officers, which unavoidably leads to a larger, hard-to-manage caseload. The study concluded that the Texas judiciary feels that the ISP represents an effective alternative to incarceration. If more ISP's were funded, or if present ISP jurisdictions were expanded, a substantial number of offenders could be diverted from the Texas district court system. Tabular data and sample questionnaires are provided. (Author abstract modified)