NCJ Number
107072
Date Published
1985
Length
98 pages
Annotation
This manual provides background on the history and issues involved in using court-referred volunteers in community service organizations and presents sample policies, procedures, and forms for an agency to use in operating such a program.
Abstract
An overview of points raised by opponents of community service orders considers whether such service is truly voluntary and whether it entails discrimination, sentencing disparity, and expansion of social control. An active effort to create guidelines and policies that will be mutually beneficial to everyone involved is then recommended. Guidelines on implementing a program focus on planning, methods of handling the issue of liability, interviewing and screening, and access by other staff to information about criminal records of volunteers. It also discusses job assignments, supervision, recordkeeping, support or resistance by regular program staff, and volunteer recognition. Comments from agency staff members are also presented regarding problems and actions taken to deal with them. Glossary, forms, 23 references, and annotated list of 3 national resource organizations.