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Did you know:
- That the Community
Probation Services is an arm of the Department of Correctional Services?
- That the Department
of Correctional Services is a Department of the Ministry of National
Security?
- That the Probation
Officer is an Officer of the Court?
- That the Probation
Officer supervises clients placed on orders by the Children’s, Resident
Magistrates Circuit Courts and the Parole Board?
- That the Probation
Officer works with wards and inmates in the Juvenile and Adult
Correctional Institutions?
- That the Probation
Officer is the only civilian who supervises inmates and parolees in the
Adult Institutions and in the Open Society.
- That there is a
Probation Office in every parish in Jamaica, except Kingston & St.
Andrew, St. James and St. Catherine which all have two Offices each?
Investigative
Role (Court Requirement):
- Circumstance of the
Offence.
- Early Life &
Family Background.
- Home situation with
emphasis on interpersonal relationship.
- School attendance
with regard to their level of attainment and behaviour pattern.
- Employment record –
The frequency with which offenders change jobs. Ability to work with others. Honest or dishonest life-style.
- The offender’s
psycho-social and socio economic conditions are considered.
- As professionals,
the Probation Officers study each case individually and assess the
problem. Make recommendations to
the Resident Magistrates and the Judges, which assist them to determine
the type of sentence to give an individual, especially children and
young persons under 25 years old.
- Interview inmates
and wards on entry into the Juvenile and Adult Institutions.
·
Interview
and recommend wards and inmates for home leave, and weekend release. Interview and submit reports to the parole
board re: inmates who are considered suitable to be paroled.
Supervisory
Role:
- Probation
Orders (1-3 Years)
- Offenders on
suspended sentence with supervision order (1-3 years)
- Community Service
Orders (40 hrs – 480 hrs)
- Children on
statutory supervision
Some Determinants of
Supervision:
- The client’s risk needs are
analyzed and the frequency of visits by both clients and officers are
determined.
- Treatment goals are realized
by Probation Officers and clients, which are monitored and modified
during the period.
- Link between wards, parents,
guardians or significant others and inmates and their families during
incarceration.
- Assist with inmates’, social
and economic problems.
- Prepare inmates for their
return to the free society.
- Supervise Parolees for both
definite and indeterminate periods.
Who Can
Access the Services of the Probation After-Care Officer?
- Family members who
are physically, emotionally and sexually abused.
- Parents who need
help with parenting skills
- Parents with
problem children
- Parent Teachers
Association.
- Any Person who
needs assistance.
The Probation Officer is:
- A
Mediator
- A
Facilitator
- A
Counsellor
- A
Broker
- A
Catalyst for change
- A
Confidant
- An
Advocate
In family related matters, such as:
- Custody
- Affiliation
- Maintenance
- Guardianship
- Protection
Order
- Occupation
Order
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