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Juvenile probation officers (JPOs) play an important role as decisionmakers for adolescents under their supervision in the community. While some research has examined how individual and organizational characteristics may affect their decision-making, this is the first study to examine the role of social networks that naturally occur within the juvenile probation department workplace. Specifically, demographics, attitudes about participation in the workplace, and burnout were examined as predictors of social support and consultation networks within the workplace. The current study was exploratory in nature. Participants were JPOs who supervised adolescents in the United States within one state. JPOs who felt more involved in workplace decision-making processes reported receiving more social support from their colleagues. JPOs with some graduate education or a Master's degree were less likely to provide consultation to others on tough cases or to be rated by others as providing social support. Implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusess juvenile court system, and probation conditions that requires electronic searches of juvenile probationers in the U.S. Topics discussed include impact of searches of electronic devices and cloud data on violations of Fourth Amendment to U.S. Constitution; an account of juvenile rights to privacy, and use of use of electronic devices by hi; and court cases Riley v. California and In re Cunnius on the same.

The present study examined whether parental monitoring buffers the negative effects of communtity violence exposure on probation youth's substance use and sexual risk behaviors. Among a sample of 347 Chicago youth on probation, ages 13-17 years, parental monitoring did not moderate the relationship between community violence exposure and probation youth's sexual risk and substance use. However, parental monitoring was independently associated with less engagement in sexual risk and substance use, and community violence exposure was independently associated with more risk behavior among probation youth. The present study contributes to the growing literature on the impact of community violence exposure and parenting on adjudicated youth risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a community-based sanction, juvenile probation exemplifies the potential of both communities and families to make significant contributions in promoting positive changes among offending youth. Yet, surprisingly little research has explored the nature of these relationships and its association with offending. This study (1) examined the associations between youth-officer relationships, youth perceptions of parental support and knowledge, and probation non-compliance and (2) explored the role of parental support and knowledge as moderators of the association between youth-officer relationships and probation non-compliance among 110 youth supervised on probation (23 % females; 60 % African American). The findings showed that tough or punitive youth-officer relationships were associated with greater counts of technical violations, but fewer counts of delinquent offenses. Parental support was associated with fewer counts of delinquent offenses and parental knowledge was associated with fewer counts of both delinquent offenses and technical violations. These findings provide evidence to the important role of both parents and probation officers and underscore the potential benefits of parent-officer collaboration in facilitating successful interventions among offending youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juvenile probation officers aim to improve youth compliance with probation conditions, but questions remain about how officers motivate youth. The study’s purpose was to determine which officer-reported probation strategies (client-centered vs. confrontational) were associated with their use of evidence-based motivational interviewing skills. Officers (N = 221) from 18 Indiana counties demonstrated motivational interviewing skills by responding to scenarios depicting issues common to youth probationers. Results of a hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that, while officer endorsement of client-centered strategies was not associated with differential use of motivational interviewing skills, officers endorsing confrontational strategies were less likely to demonstrate motivational interviewing skills. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Although most justice-involved youth receive probation as a community-based alternative to residential facility placement, many of these youth are later committed to residential facilities when their probation dispositions are revoked at probation review hearings. The limited research investigating predictors of facility placement following juvenile probation revocation has focused primarily on youth-specific factors rather than on factors that can change from hearing to hearing, such as noncompliance with court-imposed probation conditions. The current study addressed this gap, using generalized estimating equation analyses with 77 youths' archived public defender files-providing data from 268 review hearings-to evaluate the role of both youth-specific factors (e.g., demographic characteristics) and hearing-specific factors (e.g., noncompliance with imposed probation requirements) in residential facility commitment. Results revealed that youth who were absent from the examined review hearing, were rearrested, failed to comply with school-related probation requirements, or failed to appear as directed at the prior review hearing were more likely to have probation revoked and be placed in a juvenile correctional facility. Such findings might help identify groups of youth at greater risk for facility commitment and might inform the guidance provided to juvenile probationers by their families, attorneys, and probation officers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on how probation and police home visits during intensive probation supervision are perceived by probationers, parents and officers in the U.S. The study focused on the Operation Night Light program of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) and the Wyandotte County Adult and Juvenile Probation Departments. It identified communications strategies initiated by probation officers during their home visits.

Juvenile probation officers (JPOs;n= 71) in the United States were interviewed three and ten months after the SAVRY or YLS/CMI was implemented in their office. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were used to explore their experiences using the instruments and adherence to practice guidelines. JPOs typically perceived the instruments as being ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ helpful for guiding their case planning decisions. A frequently cited barrier to using both instruments in practice related to the increased length of time it took to complete reports; yet, at the same time, some JPOs also acknowledged that use of the measures forced them to gather important information about the youth's background and current situation that proved useful. Most JPOs (77 %,n= 33 of 43) using the SAVRY expressed preference for a risk assessment model that emphasized use of appropriate professional discretion rather than a score-based approach. “Buy-in” for the instruments and the reported difficulties varied across sites. The present findings may inform recommendations specifically for delivering training on the SAVRY and YLS/CMI and, more broadly, strategies to promote their effective implementation in juvenile justice settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the past twenty years the United States has seen delinquency rates and juvenile crime develop as a significant social problem. Relatively new approaches are currently employed by agencies charged with controlling juvenile crime. The focus of this research is a non-traditional correctional program that implements strength based case management techniques to intervene, address, and prevent delinquent behavior among at-risk juveniles. This study is an impact assessment of a grant-funded intervention program on the recidivism rates of those enrolled in the program over a three-year period. The study measures the net effects of the program and lends support for further development and expansion of strength based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the detention of youth in one large county in a northwestern state. The sample included Hispanic and White juveniles detained during July 2001 to June 2002. Using quantitative analyses, the following variables were examined to assess what factors influence the decision to detain youth: ethnicity, gender, current offense, number of prior adjudications, number of prior admissions to detention, and number of total referrals. In addition to quantitative analyses, interviews were also conducted with juvenile probation officers and one judge. Hispanic youth were more likely than White youth to be detained for committing a new offense, while Whites were more likely to be detained for non-criminal offenses. Theoretical arguments such as the conflict perspective are used to further understand the data. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Discusses the results of a national survey of the content of the basic fundamental skills curriculums for the training of juvenile probation officers (JPO) in the U.S. Publications developed by the National Center for Juvenile Justice; Extent of the fundamental skills training; Focus of JPO fundamental skills training; Need for national training standards for JPO.

Focuses on the conferencing approach in settling juvenile offenses in Honolulu, Hawaii. Development of the conferencing process; Controversy of the process; Concept of the Real Justice conferencing model.

Focuses on the strategies used by juvenile and adult probation trainees. Role of probation officers; Type of probation officer; Study on the strategies used by juvenile and adult probation trainees.

Evaluates the use of police officers to supervise juvenile offenders sentenced to a curfew check program in Florida. Reduction of criminal behavior; Views of the program by parents and officers; Community policing partnership with juvenile probation.

This study presents an evaluation of the Anchorage Coordinated Agency Network (CAN) program. The program combined the capacities of both the Anchorage Police Department and the Anchorage Office of Juvenile Probation to enhance the overall levels of supervision that juvenile probationers received. Consistent with research from intensive supervision literature, the CAN evaluation found that juveniles participating in the program were more likely to have new technical violations but no more likely to have new charges when compared to juveniles on regular probation. These findings support intensive supervision probation literature suggesting that increased supervision and surveillance lead to increased levels of probation violations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the adequacy of training for juvenile probation officers in the United States. Consideration of the increased responsibilities on the officers; Effect of the increase in juvenile crime rate on the justice system; Determination of nationwide trends and patterns in juvenile probation officer training.

Focuses on the juvenile justice system in the United States. Criticism on the administrative procedures in juvenile justice system; Effectiveness of juvenile probation programs; Duties and responsibilities of juvenile probation officers; Trends within the juvenile probation system; Emergence of the concept of intensive probation supervision.

Explains strategies for juvenile probation officers in the United States to provide assistance services for juvenile offenders in the country. Emphasis on accountability, action, believing-brief, and cooperation-competency as the central foundation of providing juvenile probation services; Types of questions to consider in providing effective juvenile service.

Discusses a program for nonviolent youthful offenders to address juvenile delinquency. Planning and organizational phases; Program of the US Juvenile Probation Department.

Investigates the organization and operation of the Michigan State Agency and its juvenile probation system in 1873-1900. Community-based programs for juveniles; Significance probation; Recruitment of agents; Nature of the agents' work and operating philosophy; Relationship among the agents, the courts and the police; Arrests and dispositions of children during selected years 1876-1900.

Examines the patterns of public and private juvenile placements in one of the larger probation departments in Southern California. Study and analysis of the juvenile placement patterns; Statistics on private and public juvenile facilities; Effects of juvenile institutionalization; Factors that are important in the institutional placement of juveniles; Policy issues of the study.

Presents a study which examined the county juvenile probation camps in California between 1984 and 1988. Description of youths and camps; Comparison of youth populations; Differences in the effectiveness across camps.

This article discusses an accounting plan for juvenile probation in the U.S. The almost complete lack of uniform, accurate information relating to the work of juvenile courts and juvenile probation departments has been a matter of general concern for many years. The need for accurate knowledge relating to juvenile delinquency and to the responsible administrative work carried on by courts and probation departments is evident. In California, the responsibility for collecting criminal statistics has been centralized since 1945 in a bureau within the U.S. Department of Justice. In 1947, a pilot study was inaugurated by the Bureau in an attempt to collect data relating to the operation of juvenile divisions of certain probation departments and juvenile courts. The principal features of the juvenile probation reporting program are categorized in groups such as classification of active cases by status groupings and case reportings. A problem related to method of count is that pertaining to the type of juvenile matters which should properly be included. This determination is not a simple one. The juvenile probation function includes not only the customary supervisory duties and the responsibility for making investigations that are specifically requested by the courts, but the operation is also extended to embrace many unofficial and sometimes unrelated welfare activities and courtesy services.

Part IV. Reports on the effects of detention in a research project on juvenile probation in the United States. Relationships between background characteristics and detention practices; Number of children in household by detention; Grades in school by detention.

Part III. Reports on the criterion of recidivism in a research project on juvenile probation in the United States. Proportion of petitions requested for several offense categories; Clarification on the meaning of the criterion; Relation between the number of offenses committed during a span of time to the cumulative seriousness of the offenses committed during this period.

Part II. Reports on the characteristics of the cohort of a research project on juvenile probation in the United States. Disposition and treatment given to youngsters referred in several offense categories; Relationships between background characteristics and disposition and treatment categories; Proportions of youngsters living with both natural parents.

Part I. Describes a research project on juvenile probation in the United States. Paradigm of the probation process; Exceptions of the project; Classes of youngsters.

Introduces a series of articles that describes a research project on juvenile probation in the United States.

Discusses the U.S. Supreme Court decision in 'Durst v. United States,' in which it ordered a youthful offender to make restitution as condition of probation. Federal Youth Corrections Act; Petitioners' arguments for attacking the imposition of fines.

This article explores the relation between war and conditions related to it and the increasing incidents of juvenile delinquency in the U.S. in 1943. Juvenile delinquency and neglect, always a serious problem, is especially so in wartime. The National Probation Association sent an inquiry in February 1943 to the chief probation officers of all juvenile courts in cities or counties of 50,000 population or over throughout the country. The total number of boys and girls dealt with by their courts between 1940 to 1942 was questioned. 36 of over 200,000 population reported, 40 between 100,000 and 200,000 and 52 under 100,000. In 1941 these courts handled a total of 80,390 delinquent children. In 1942, the first full war year, the same courts handled 88,073, a total increase of 9.5 percent. Comparing the year 1941 and 1940, there was an increase of 8.6 percent. Comparing 1940 with the war year, 1942, there was an increase of 19 percent. The principal solution to the problem is to maintain, strengthen and improve protective services for children and families. One lesson can be learned from the inquiry: a majority of the courts reported that their mist serious problem was the maintenance of their staffs of workers to handle the normal load, let alone take care of increase of cases. Some of the probation departments have lost over half of their workers, usually to the military services, and have been unable to replace all of them.

The article reflects on the success of the method of dealing with juvenile offenders, generally known as the juvenile court and probation system in the U.S. Its necessity lies in its improvement over the old methods. Its importance is also based on the personal and intelligent work of those who are called upon to administer it. The author realizes that much success for this court depends upon the judge of the court.

Part V. Reports on the effects of juvenile detention on the subsequent delinquent behavior of youngsters in the United States. Activities performed on the study on juvenile probation.