NCJ Number
16946
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 38 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1974) Pages: 30-33
Date Published
1974
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A DISCUSSION OF COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES FOR PROBATION ADMINISTRATORS IN DEALING WITH PROBATION OFFICERS, INCLUDING SUCH ISSUES AS ADMINISTRATIVE EXPECTATIONS, REINFORCEMENT, MOTIVATION, TRAINING, AND WORK ATTITUDES.
Abstract
THE APPROACHES WHICH MAY BE TAKEN IN DEALING WITH THE UNIQUE PROBLEMS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROBATION OFFICER ARE OUTLINED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT ADMINISTRATORS EXPRESS HIGH, THOUGH NOT UNREASONABLE PERFORMANCE EXPECTIONS TO PROBATION OFFICERS, AS THIS WILL ENCOURAGE HIGH PERFORMANCE. SIMILARLY, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT AND SUPPORT BE USED AT ALL TIMES. THE AUTHOR STATES THAT POOR ATTITUDES SUCH AS CYNICISM CAN BE AVOIDED IF THE ADMINISTRATORS ATTEMPT TO SET A TONE OF REALISTIC OPTIMISM. THE REASONS FOR FRUSTRATION ON THE PART OF PROBATION OFFICERS ARE OUTLINED, AND THE AUTHOR CAUTIONS THAT THIS FRUSTRATION MUST NOT BE MISTAKEN FOR LACK OF MOTIVATION. A DISCUSSION OF THE NEED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE TRAINING AND MOTIVATION OF PROBATION PERSONNEL, AND RESISTANCE TO ACCOUNTABILITY BY SOME PROBATION ADMINISTRATORS IS INCLUDED. IT IS STRESSED THAT A GOALORIENTED TRAINING APPROACH CAN PROVIDE THIS NECESSARY ACCOUNTABILITY.