Kelly L. Gould

Historical Development
of Juvenile Probation

In England, as early as 1820, juvenile were sentenced to prison for 1 day, then releasing them conditionally to their parents or masters

In the U.S. juvenile probation developed as part of the wave of social reform of the latter half on the 19^th Century

Rapid spread of juvenile courts occurred during the first decades of the twentieth century encourage further development of juvenile probation

What is Probation?

A contract between the court and the juvenile

Requires behavior according to a set of rules for a period of time

Institutional sentence held in abeyance

Probation officer supervises behavior and can either suggest revocation of the status, or discharge of it if the probationer has behaved successfully

Positive Aspects of
Probation

Arguments in Favor
of Probation

For those youths who can be supervised in the community, probation represents an appropriate disposition.

The use of probation allows the juvenile court to tailor a program to the needs and circumstances of each juvenile offender, including those involved in person oriented offenses.

The juvenile justice system continues to have confidence in the balanced rehabilitation model while accommodating demands for legal controls and public protection, even when caseloads may include many more serious offender.

Probation is often the disposition of choice, particularly for status offenders.

Skills Required of Probation Officers

Providing counseling and case work services

Interviewing and collecting social service data

Making diagnostic recommendations

Working with law enforcement agencies

Using community resources and services

Directing case aids

Writing predisposition and social investigation reports

Working with families with children under supervision

Provide specialized services, such as group therapy

Supervising special caseloads involving kids on drugs or with special problems

Making probation revocation or termination decisions

Special Conditions of Probation

Intensive Probation

Involves very small caseloads and daily scrutiny by a probation officer

Electronic Monitoring

Often coupled with house arrest

Monitored through random phone calls or electronic tracking devices

Cost effective

Reduces over-
crowding in
institutions

Balanced Probation

Programs that integrate community protection, accountability of the juvenile offender, competency, and individualized attention to the juvenile offender; based on principles that juvenile offenders must accept responsibility for their behavior.

Kinds of Restitution

Justifications for
Restitution

It is rehabilitative

It relieves overcrowding

It saves money

Residential Treatment

Bethesda Day Treatment
Center Program

Multisystemic Therapy (MST)

History of Juvenile Institutions

Until the early 1800s, juvenile offenders were confined in adult prisons

Early juvenile institutions were industrial schools modeled after adult prisons

By 1880 there were approximately 11,000 youths in Reform Schools

By 1980 the numbered had more than quadrupled

History of
Juvenile Institutions

Institutions in which educational and psychological services are used in an effort to improve the conduct of juveniles who are forcibly detained.

Institutional Options or Juveniles

Corrections Placement Matrix

Twentieth-Century
Developments

"Decarceration"

Emphasis is on "least restrictive alternative" policy of choosing a program or setting that will best benefit the child

Throughout 1980s and 1990s admissions to public and private facilities has grown

Overcrowding still remains a problem

Private facilities are being used more

Incarceration costs have increased 20% since 1982

Number of Juveniles in Public
and Private Facilities

The Hidden Juvenile
Corrections System

Institutional Adjustment

The "general code" of behavior in juvenile institutions revolves around the following principles:

Exploit whomever you can.

Don’t play up to staff.

Don’t rat on your peers.

Don’t give in to others.

Double Standard for
Female Offenders

Girls are more likely to be
incarcerated for status offense

Female institutions are more
restrictive and have fewer educational and rehabilitative programs

Do a less than adequate job of rehabilitation

Most reside in private facilities

Individual Treatment
Programs

Individual Counseling
and Psychotherapy

In individual counseling, counselors help juveniles understand and solve their current adjustment problems.

Psychotherapy is highly structured counseling in which a skilled therapist helps a juvenile solve conflicts and make a more positive adjustment to society.

Reality Therapy and
Behavior Modification

Reality therapy is counseling that emphasizes current behavior and requires the individual to accept responsibility for all of his or her actions.

Behavior Modification uses techniques for shaping desired behaviors through a system of rewards and punishments.

Group Treatment
Techniques

Group Therapy counsels several individuals together in a session; individuals can obtain support from other group members.

Group Treatment
Techniques

Disadvantages of
Group Treatment

Educational, Vocational and Recreation Programs

Focus in on job skills and

education programs that

fulfill mandatory school

attendance laws.

In many, there is a relation-

ship between the school
and private business. Job

placement is also stressed.

Wilderness Camps

Boot Camps

Discipline is achieved through physical training

Focus is on feelings and self-esteem

Many include basic literacy programs

Don’t save money

Widen the net of social control

Limited to "shock" effect

No proof
of effectiveness

Model Aftercare Program