Social_Welfare_Annual_Report_1969-1970 — Page 17

34. The Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association provides a similar kind of service through a network of 18 libraries which had a total registered membership of over 27,000 persons and catered for the needs of young people aged between 8 and 18.

CHAPTER III

PROBATION AND JUVENILE CORRECTION

35. The probation officer is a social worker in the service of the courts whose duty it is to help, advise and befriend' offenders who are placed on probation. A probation order imposed by the courts places an offender, either juvenile or adult, male or female, under the supervi- sion of a Probation Officer for a period of between 1-3 years. The order requires that the probationer shall respond to certain conditions which govern his behaviour and is designed to help him effect an adequate adjustment with the help of his supervisor.

36. The prescribed duties of probation staff comprise making enquiries into the social and family background of accused persons, providing reports subsequently to the courts and the supervision of probationers in their homes, hostels or other institutions. Their work involves the treatment of offenders through social work methods of counselling and the mobilization of social welfare facilities which may be required to achieve the necessary adjustment and rehabilitation. They are particularly concerned with the

with the study of delinquent behaviour, with the means of correcting it and to this end enlisting the positive help and understanding of the community. Probationers who fail to carry out the conditions of their order are brought back to court to be dealt with in another way for their original offence, apart from any subsequent offence.

37. Investigations of social background involve a number of inter- views and relevant information comes from such sources

as the delinquent himself, his parents or relatives, schools, the police, voluntary welfare agencies, professional personnel such as doctors or ministers and other interested and informed people concerned with him. The evaluation of the material gained from the social enquiry then forms the basis of a probation plan which outlines the way in which the delinquent may be helped to achieve responsible behaviour.

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