CHAPTER III
PROBATION AND JUVENILE CORRECTION
49. A probation order imposed by the courts places an offender, either juvenile or adult, male or female, under the supervision of a Probation officer for a period usually of 2 years or more. Such an order does not smack of an undesirable leniency towards offenders at the expense of the community; it is a valid and proved method of correc- tion in the many cases for which it is suitable. Although probation staff are concerned primarily with social inquiries into the lives of accused persons, with supervision of probationers in their homes, hostels or institutions, and with some 'pre-delinquent' activities of juveniles, they also find themselves frequently on the twilight fringe between social welfare and the other social services (education, housing health and employment) which affect the incidence of criminal behaviour on the one hand, and the science of criminology and penology on the other. They find themselves called upon to offer advice and critical thoughts not only upon individuals' behaviour and welfare but also on other bodies' attitude to correction.
50. This chapter describes how those social welfare officers whose responsibilities are to look after such people as the courts refer to them make use of probation, institutional care and aftercare and of the voluntary facilities which are ancillary to both preventive work and aftercare. Casework is tiring and demanding. The progressive increases in recent years in the number of offenders entrusted by the Courts to probation or institutional supervision are a burden which must be carried. As officers of the court probation officers cannot refuse a case. The dangers of large turnovers, small benefits and quick returns are obvious.
51. The duties of probation officers are to carry out social inquiries for the courts; to make reports which may help judges and magistrates to decide how to deal with those who have been found guilty; and to supervise those who are entrusted to their charge by the courts. Investi- gations of social background involve long interviews with the offenders and often mean home visits and calls upon school teachers. Probation Officers discuss their charges with employers, voluntary welfare agencies, fellow government officers in other social services, and friends and relatives of those on probation. In between they write their reports,
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