NCJ Number
55618
Date Published
1978
Length
110 pages
Annotation
A SURVEY OF TRAINING NEEDS IN CALIFORNIA'S COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENTS IS DOCUMENTED.
Abstract
A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS MAILED TO ALL 60 COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENTS REQUESTING INFORMATION ON THE TRAINING NEEDS OF LINE STAFF, SUPERVISORS, MIDDLE MANAGERS, AND TOP ADMINISTRATORS RELATIVE TO FIELD, COURT, AND INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES. A LIST OF COURSES WAS PREPARED ON THE BASIS OF SURVEY RESPONSES, AND THE LIST WAS SENT TO 900 STAFF MEMBERS IN 53 PROBATION DEPARTMENTS (ABOUT 10 PERCENT OF ALL PROBATION PRACTITIONERS IN CALIFORNIA). RESPONSES WERE RECEIVED FROM 92 PERCENT OF THE AGENCIES AND 84 PERCENT OF THE INDIVIDUALS CONTACTED. THE RESPONSES, WHICH WERE IN THE FORM OF LIKERT-TYPE ASSESSMENTS (STRONGLY NEEDED, NEEDED, ETC.) OF EACH COURSE UNDER CONSIDERATION, WERE CONVERTED TO PRIORITIZED RANKINGS. COURSE RANKINGS, LIKERT SCORES, AND RESPONDENTS PERCEPTIONS OF THE EDUCATIONAL LEVEL OF EACH COURSE (BASIC, ADVANCED, SPECIALIZED) ARE DOCUMENTED FOR RESPONSES PERTAINING TO LINE STAFF, SUPERVISOR, AND ADMINISTRATOR TRAINING NEEDS RELATIVE TO FIELD AND COURT SERVICES AND TO INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES. THE TABULAR DOCUMENTATION IS ACCOMPANIED BY ANALYSES THAT PROVIDE PROBATION AGENCIES WITH A CONTINUING EDUCATION CURRICULUM, FOR USE IN PLANNING STAFF TRAINING. THE REPORT ALSO DOCUMENTS (LESS EXTENSIVELY) SIMILAR SURVEYS OF JUDGES' AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS' PERCEPTIONS OF PROBATION STAFF TRAINING NEEDS. A COPY OF THE SURVEY INSTRUMENT IS INCLUDED.