Identifying Probation Officers' Effectiveness with Young Offenders

This dissertation delves into the critical role of probation officers within the criminal justice system, specifically examining their effectiveness in preventing young offenders from re-offending and returning to prison. The introduction highlights the increasing crime rates and the significance of probation officers in supervising offenders, preparing reports for the court, and guiding them through their probation periods. The study's strengths include the potential to enhance knowledge about offenders, utilize statistical figures, and gather real data through primary sources. However, limitations are acknowledged, such as insufficient resources, lack of direct access to confidential information, and time constraints. The literature review covers the responsibilities of probation officers, including supervision, counseling, and investigation, and the effectiveness of their work in preventing re-offending. The research methodology employs a positivism philosophy, focusing on objective data collection to identify the effectiveness of probation officers in preventing re-offending. The dissertation aims to contribute valuable insights into the strategies and challenges associated with reducing recidivism among young offenders and the crucial role of probation officers in this process.

Dissertation

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Strength and limitations of the study...............................................................................................3
Literature review..............................................................................................................................4
Research Methodology....................................................................................................................7
Results..............................................................................................................................................9
Thematic Discussion......................................................................................................................16
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................19
References......................................................................................................................................22
Appendix........................................................................................................................................24
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Title: “To identify the effectiveness of working of probation officers in preventing young
offenders from re-offending and returning to prison.”
INTRODUCTION
In the modern era, crime has increased to a great extent; statistics show that many of the
offenders are involved in the sexual, violent reprehensible activities. Probation officers are the
key players of criminal justice system. They supervise the offenders and prepare written report
for the court (Holtfreter and Wattanaporn, 2014). Criminals have to live under their strong
supervision. Probation period is the testing period in which officer test the character and ability
of an individual who has committed any crime. Approx 70% sentence cases are kept on hold by
the courts and they have sent the offenders under supervision of probation officers. Probation
officer prepares a pre-sentence report (PSR) of the offenders and interviews the criminals. By
this way, they gather the relevant information about personal life, demographic condition, and
type of crime and current situation of the person (Bales and et.al, 2015). That written report
supports justice system in making accurate decisions of the punishment. Probation officer work
with prison service and monitor behavior of the offenders. They help them in changing their
behavior so that after releasing from the prison, they can start a new life. The objective of the
research is to identify the working responsibilities of the probation officers. Purpose of the
present study is to find out the effectiveness of work in preventing re-offending to prison.
Objective of the study is to evaluate the ways which can help in preventing young offenders from
re-offending and returning to prison (Pruin, 2016).
STRENGTH AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
The entire research is based on the work of probation officers in the justice system. The
main strength of the study is that with the help of this, the researcher will be able to enhance its
knowledge about offenders. Statistical figures will help in identifying number of criminals in the
UK and their reason of committing the crime (Morris, 2016). This information will help in
carrying out the study in a right direction. While doing the research on the subject, researcher has
discussed about the cases which are very common. Officers have given their views regarding
background checking and court. That will help the scholar in getting valid results. With the help
of study, research will be able to improve its knowledge about the cases and that would be
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beneficial for the future (Hean and et.al, 2015). All information is collected through primary
sources which will help in gaining real data which can make this research more interesting.
Another strength of this study is that other researcher will get conceptual idea about the topic and
that would help them in their researches.
Researcher does not have sufficient resources for conducting the study. That is the main
weakness of this research and many times due to lack of financial resource scholar fails to gather
relevant information (Laws, 2016). Investigator is not having personal relationship with
government or juridical person who can give details about facts..So it will create in collecting the
real data. As these officers do not communicate with anyone and do not disclose confidential
details for public use so it can create problem in the research. So it is difficult to connect with the
internal persons those who know better about the criminal activities. Another weakness of the
study is that it can create problem in the research that limited time. This study is too vast and
researcher has only limited time for the research that is weakness of this study (Raynor, 2016).
Being a researcher, I will have to play role of observer, being observer individual have to
observe thing so that valid conclusion can be drawn. By observing the environment of the work
place of probation officer it will help me to identify their work and its effectiveness. I need to
collect that data from the reliable sources so that I can find out effectiveness of the work of
probation officers. I will have to play a role of technical assistant because in this I will have to
use different types of software to present the graphs. That would help in getting the accurate
information of the topic. I will also play the role of coordinator because in this it is necessary for
me to make connection with government officers to collect the authentic information. So by
making connection with all these resources, I will be able to carry out the effective research on
this topic.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Work of probation officers to prison
According to Jiang and et.al, 2014 juvenile probation officers have to supervise the youth
offenders who are in the prison for the probation period. They have to look upon their activities
and the change which occur in their behavior (Jiang and et.al, 2014). If there is no improvement
then probation officer sends report to the higher justice authorities. After getting report of the
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officer, court makes will have to send report to higher court. Supervision of youth offenders is
the prime responsibility of the officers.
As per the view of Allen, 2013 probation officers have the duty to provide counseling to
young offenders so that they can change their mind and behavior (Allen, 2013). Before criminal
leave the prison, officers guide them and make them understand significance of the clean life. It
is the work of probation officer to give good counseling so that they can change their mind
immediately and eliminate behavioral issue. Grace, 2017 has argued that probation officer has to
work as juvenile correctional treatment specialists. They have to work with the adolescent's
person those who have committed any crime and are putted on probation by the justice
authorities (Grace, 2017). Rather than directly send them to jail, authorities send them prison for
probation time period. Apart from this, probation officers have to deal with such criminals those
who have spent time in the jail. They identify their behavior before going to jail and after that
and prepare a written report for the justice authorities. So that judgment regarding punishment
can be taken by the concern court.
According to the Scott, 2016 duty of the probation officers is to investigate the case and
take interview with the parents or guardians, as well as further discuss the issue with the lawyer
(Scott, 2016). They have to prepare a written report and have to present it in front of higher
authorities of the justice system. For preparing the structure about the case, officers have to
analyze the case and consequence of crime on individual's life. After that, they discuss the issue
with the parents of youngsters so that they can tell better about nature and behavior of the
offender. Their job profile is to become an investigator and find out the real victim and criminal.
Willoughby and Nellis, 2016 has argued that probation officer is an important player of
justice system, they request to judge for increasing probation period of criminal so that they can
provide better counseling to the offenders (Willoughby and Nellis, 2016). They have to attend
court hearings and justify their respect to judge of increasing probation period of the offender. As
per the view of Britt, 2014 work of probation officers is to connect with the agencies those who
provide protection to the public. They have to ensure that the criminal should not harm any of the
general people. They have to work with other agencies for reducing local criminal activities from
the country. Safety of community is the job responsibility of the probation officer (Britt, 2014).
Effectiveness of work of probation officers in preventing offenders from re-offending
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According to the Bakker and et.al, 2015 work of probation officer is to monitor the
offender continuously (Bakker and et.al, 2015). By supervising them, the officers become able to
monitor their behavioral changes and which can help in knowing whether there is any change in
the attitude or not. All probation officers perform their work effectively and close supervision
develop sense of fear among criminals and they behave good with others. Criminals think that
they can get punishment in future so they may change their mind which will help the young
offenders from re-offendin.
Cozby and Bates, 2015 has argued that job responsibilities of a probation officer is very
effective and it help in making criminal understand about the benefits of good life (Cozby and
Bates, 2015). They can understand their previous mistakes and can develop maturity within them
that can support in preventing young offenders from re-offending. As they provide counseling to
person and make them understand about adverse effects of crime line. Their guidance and
counseling can make significant changes in their behaivour. By this way, they will get improved
and after completing their probation period, they can start a healthy life. It will reduce chances of
re-offending and they will never return to prison again. Author has said that this is an effective
work and helps criminals in starting their life in a new way. This can be better situation for
society because by this way criminal activities can be reduced and it can develop secure
environment.
As per the view of McGivern 2013 probation officer's work is to investigate the case and
find out the real criminal. By investing the case, the officers can get to know effectively about
the previous life of an offender so that can help in preparing wriiten report for the court
(McGivern, 2013). That would help in making sound judgment and will aid in motivating the
person. By this way, they will not get involved in criminal activities in the future. it will
influence them and they will understand their mistake and will never repeat it again in the future.
So it is very effective for the probation officers.
On other hand Savin-Baden and Major, 2013 has argued that offenders cannot make
changes in their behavior after getting counseling from the officers (Savin-Baden and Major,
2013). There are many criminals those who are in the jail since five to six years and they
commit small crime and get punishment and after that also they again do the crime and come to
jail. Author has discussed that offenders have tendency to commit crime and they do not feel
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guilty after committing any crime.. As per the view of Britt, 2014 it is found that many of the
investigations have declared that offenders have criminal family background and they are not
ashamed after committing any crime. So in most of the reports, it is found that officers have
discussed in the written report that person is still offensive. So their investigation cannot prevent
the young offenders from re-offending and returning to prison (Britt, 2014).
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
Research methodology is the process of collecting relative information for achieving
objective of the research. The purpose of this chapter is to identify research philosophy, strategy,
data collection methods and analyze the data for drawing a valid conclusion (Daniel, Kumar and
Omar, 2017). Research philosophy: It is a belief and the described way of collecting the data. There
are several types of philosophies such as pragmatism, positivism, realism and
interpretivism. This doctrine support in developing knowledge about the subject matters
that dissertation can be prepared in an effective manner. This study is much more
depended upon the facts and figures (Daudt, van Mossel and Scott, 2013). It is necessary
to identify the nature of criminals, committed crimes and work of probation officer. So
for the study, researcher has chosen the positivism philosophy. The main reason of
selecting this doctrine is that it focuses more on objectives rather than the subjectivity. By
this way, the data collection will be done significantly and researcher will be able to
identify effectiveness of work of probation officers in preventing re-offending. It is
highly structured philosophy so with the help of this, the data can be collected from the
reliable sources. Research approach: There are generally three types of approaches used by the scholars
deductive, inductive.. For the present study, researcher has taken support of deductive
approach(Von Euler, 2016). By this way, the scholar will be able to develop hypotheses
to check the real effectiveness of working of probation officers. With the help of this, the
researcher will be able to get authentic finding which will help in making valid
conclusion. With the help of collected data, a theory can be developed by the researcher.
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 Research design: It is a general plan of the research that describes planning of the
researcher to identify the answers of the questions (Savin-Baden and Major, 2013). For
the present study, descriptive research design is being selected by the scholar. It is
required to prepare questionnaire for the probation officers. So descriptive research
design will be better for the current research, it will help in knowing the real opinion of
officers about their work profile and impact on the criminals (McGivern, 2013). Apart
from this, descriptive research includes observation, case study and survey. But for the
present study, survey and questionnaire is the best option. Personal interview is the best
way to analyze the real effectiveness of the subject matter. Data collection: It is an important tool; with the help of which the researcher can gather
relevant information from the reliable sources. For the present study, researcher has used
primary sources and has prepared questionnaire for their officers. By this way, internal
background of justice system can be analyzed by them significantly (Bakker and et.al,
2015). Apart from primary sources, they have also used secondary data. Scholar can take
help from books, journals, articles, and internet data for knowing the previous study
results. By this way, it will be able to draw a valid and effective conclusion. Research strategy: It is another part of research methodologies and it plays a significant
role in conducting research on the particular topic. In the present research, investigator
will use the combined strategy. Qualitative method will be used by the scholar and it will
develop better understanding about the topic and researcher will be able to achieve
objectives of the study (Cozby and Bates, 2015). Sampling: It is the process of selecting sample for the investigation. It is necessary to
chose correct sample and correct sample size. By this way, the researcher will be able to
finish the study successfully. In the present report, investigators have used the survey
methodology and samples have been chosen by the probation officers. They work in the
real environment so they can tell effectively about the offenders. By this way, objectives
will be accomplished significantly. Sample size is being for the study 10, data will be
collected from probation officers (Von Euler, 2016). Data analyses: The main results can be identified after analyzing the raw data, without
analyzing the information real conclusion cannot be drawn by the investigator.
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Qualitative and quantitative are two types of data analyzing techniques. In the qualitative
tool, researchers use the thematic analyses and present the graphs of themes. By this way,
a valid conclusion can be drawn by the investigator. In the quantitative tool, scholar finds
out the answers with the help of T test, SPSS etc. For the present study, qualitative
technique is being chosen by the researcher and thematic analysis will be carried out to
accomplish the objective (Daniel, Kumar and Omar, 2017). Research limitation: It is the part of research methodology which explains the issues
which are faced by the scholar while working on this subject matter. As researcher were
not having sufficient financial resources for conducting research. Due to this, sometimes
it creates problem with the scholar. Scholar is required to support the advanced software
for the study so that it can collect previous records of criminal and investigate their
previous case studies. But due to limited monitory funds, investigators will be unable to
collect the important data. Time was the major limitation of this study (Daudt, van
Mossel and Scott, 2013). Researcher is not having sufficient time for the research, it has
to submit the report very soon. As individual has to complete the task within stipulated
time duration so in the limited time period it will be not necessary to discuss the issue
with maximum number of probation officers.
 Ethical consideration: It can be specified as an important part of research methodology.
If this part is being ignored by the investigator then the entire dissertation can fail. It is
essential to concentrate on the subject matter effectively. This investigation will not harm
any of the respondent and other population. Data will be kept confidential and there will
be no misuse of the information and facts and figures. Privacy will be maintained to a
great extent in this study. If scholar ignores these aspects then the entire research will not
be considered as valid (McGivern, 2013).
RESULTS
Theme 1: Offender's behavior are offensive in the prison?
Yes 4
No 6
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Interpretation: From the above research it is found that four probation officers have said that
offenders behave offensive in the prison whereas six officers have said that they do no behave
offensive in the prison. So from the discussion it can be interpreted that maximum people said
that criminals have attacking nature. In the prison they do not get worried that they can get
punishment. Their nature is very violate and any time they can be violent. So it is necessary that
probation officers strongly monitor them and supervise them so that they do not harm any other
person in the prison. If there is any lacking point then it can turn into big issue for the society
members.
Theme 2: Main factors that influence re-offending?
Social factor 2
personal factor (family background and bad
habits)
3
Unemployment and financial problems 4
Mental health problem 1
10
Yes No
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
4
6
Column C

Interpretation: From the graphical presentation it can be said that there are many factors that
influence re-offending. Two respondents have said that social factor is the main element due to
this criminal do no change their mind and commit crime again and again. Three officers have
viewed that their family background and other personal factors the main aspects due to this
person commit crime again and return to prison several times. Four respondents have said that
employment and economic problems are the main reason of crime. One respondent has viewed
that due to mental illness individual go in the wrong direction. From the above discussion it can
be interpreted that financial problems are the main issue and factor and influence re-offending.
Many of the offenders return to the prison and they commit crime due to fulfillment of monitory
requirements. Family background is equally main component and influence re-offending. Due to
family issues or bad relationship with family members people get frustrated and go towards
wrong direction.
Theme 3: Desistance process is effective in preventing young offenders from re-offending?
Yes 7
No 3
11
Social factor
personal factor (family background and bad habits)
Unemployment and financial problems
Mental health problem
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
2
3
4
1
Column D

Interpretation: From the discussion it is found that seven respondents have said that yes
desistance is the great process and it can help in preventing young offender's from re-offending.
Whereas, three respondents have viewed that no it is completely waste of time process. So from
the research it can be interpreted that with the help of this process probation officers can reduce
criminal activities and can make offenders understand that it is wrong way and it can spoil their
life. By this way criminal can change heir mind and can select the correct path for the future. It
will help in preventing them and reducing the re-offending rates in the prison. That can help in
improving the security of the society and people will live healthy and secure life.
Theme 4: Relationship with offenders is helpful in preventing offenders from re-offending and
returning to prison?
Yes 6
12
7
3
Yes
No