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Desktop Guide to Good Juvenile Probation Practice: Mission-Driven, Performance-Based, Outcome-Focused Probation

NCJ Number
197231
Journal
Perspectives Volume: 26 Issue: 4 Dated: Fall 2002 Pages: 22-25
Author(s)
Patricia Torbet; Patrick Griffin
Editor(s)
William Burrell
Date Published
2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the new revised edition of the Desktop Guide to Good Juvenile Probation Practice.
Abstract
This new desktop guide is a significant revision and substantial expansion of the original guide that was written in 1991. It was developed by approximately 30 juvenile probation professionals who re-examined the purposes of juvenile probation. The guide is based on six general principles, for example, holding offenders accountable and promoting growth and development of all juvenile probation professionals. A mission statement containing clearly articulated goals is the essential theme for this guide, along with issues of protecting the public, accountability, practical rehabilitation, performance-based practice, public safety activities, and accountability activities. It is emphasized that good juvenile probation is outcome focused, systematically measuring the tangible results of its interventions, comparing those results to its goals, and being publicly accountable for any discrepancies. This guide is intended to provide practical information and to serve as a benchmark for comparison, a stimulus for action, and a guide for change. Goal activities to be monitored and tracked to ensure performance-based probation are listed. An address is given for obtaining copies of the new Desktop Guide, and endnotes source references are included.