WHO PROFITS FROM ASSISTANCE IN REACHING DECISIONS ABOUT DETENTION? ANALYSIS OF THE GOAL FINDING PROCESS IN A MODEL

• NCJ Number: 68530
• Journal: Kriminologisches Journal Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: (1979) Pages: 282-295
• Author(s): B PLEMPER
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: German
• Country: West Germany (Former)

Annotation

A WEST GERMAN MODEL PROJECT FOR SOCIAL WORKER ASSISTANCE TO JUDGES IN REACHING DECISIONS ABOUT PRETRIAL DETENTION OF OFFENDERS IS ASSESSED.

Abstract

THE MODEL, WHICH EMPLOYED TWO SOCIAL WORKERS AND FOLLOWED THE EXAMPLE OF THE VERA INSTITUTE IN NEW YORK, WAS TESTED IN HAMBURG FROM 1978 TO 1980. STEPS FOR DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM INCLUDED INITIAL DISCUSSION OF MEANS FOR AVOIDING THE SOCIAL SHOCK EXPERIENCE OF DETAINEES IN PRETRIAL DETENTION; PLANNING BY THE HAMBURG JUSTICE AUTHORITIES TO ORGANIZE A MODEL; AND INVOLVEMENT OF JUDGES IN THE PLANNING PROCESS. PROGRAM GOALS WERE MODIFIED BY THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE OF POOR DECISIONS BASED ON INSUFFICIENT MATERIAL, AND SOCIAL WORKERS' ACTIVITIES WERE EXPANDED AT JUDGES' REQUEST TO SPEED UP COURT PROCEEDINGS. PROGRAM EVALUATION WAS INITIATED AFTER 6 MONTHS BECAUSE OF SOCIAL WORKER DISSATISFACTION. IN THE END, THE GOAL OF AVOIDING OR SHORTENING DETENTION WAS REPLACED BY THE GOAL OF IMPROVING DECISIONS ABOUT DETENTION THROUGH A BROADENED INFORMATION BASE. CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM DEMONSTRATES THAT THE PROJECT MET WITH LITTLE SUCCESS BECAUSE OF VARIATIONS IN THE DEFINITIONS OF DETENTION PENDING INVESTIGATION (I.E., DISSENT ON GOAL DEFINITION). DESPITE WIDE-RANGING DISCUSSION, SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT FELL INTO TWO GROUPS. REPRESENTATIVES OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WANTED TO REDUCE ORGANIZATIONAL PROBLEMS THROUGH CLIENT SELECTION AND SOCIAL WORKERS SOUGHT TO IMPROVE THEIR PROFESSIONAL STATUS BY MAKING THEIR OPINIONS AN INALTERABLE PART OF THE DECISIONMAKING PROCESS. FURTHERMORE, LAWYERS, ESPECIALLY JUSTICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES, WERE BETTER ABLE TO REALIZE THEIR GOALS THAN THE SOCIAL WORKERS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE SOCIAL WORKERS' GOAL OF ELIMINATING DETENTION FOR SOME OFFENDERS IS INAPPROPRIATE BECAUSE OTHER OFFENDERS THEREBY SUFFER STIGMATIZATION. THE CONFLICTING GOALS AND SUCCESS DEFINITIONS OF PARTICIPANTS ARE PARTICULARLY CRITICIZED. NOTES AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE SUPPLIED. --IN GERMAN.