Juvenile Probation system - Essay Example

Probation system is the means through which the juvenile court system ensures its purpose is achieved. The juvenile court guides juveniles considered to be a status offender or delinquent. The system works through probation officers who inform the juvenile court of appropriate steps to take (Torbet, 1996; Whitehead & Lab, 2012). The judge makes a decision on what conditions to include in the probation based on information provided by the probation officer. Probation may be used in three ways: It can be adjudication to a first time low risk offender, in which case it is used at the front end.

It can be used in placement of a formal settlement if a youth agrees to comply with a period of informal probation, and it can be used at the back end of the system where it serves as a replacement to institutional confinement for more serious offenders (Torbet, 1996). Juvenile Probation System Creation The juvenile probation system is an evolution of the court and juvenile justice system, as a means of differentiating the adult criminals from the young lawbreakers. It was found that the institutions meant correct behaviors or confine criminals, were too harsh for the young ones; hence the change, and development of a new system.

The idea came from common practice such as the use of placement societies, where delinquent and poor children would be taken to live with farm families, or serve apprenticeships instead of prisons. Keeping delinquent children out of jail and the idea of probation was however, obtained from John Augustus; a shoemaker from Boston. In the 1840s, he would bail adults and delinquent children out of jail, promising the judges that he would supervise their conduct, and ensure they go to school for the case of young people, and given honest employment for the case of adults.

By 1859, Augustus had provided bail for 1900 adults and juveniles. He had made an impact in the justice system, and this was recognized as an important method of dealing with delinquent young people and criminals. This has evolved over time with the current system having probation officers collecting data about the delinquent young people, and assisting the judge in informed decision making about the juveniles’ cases. It has also been established that communities need to be more involved in order to develop a preventive approach to juvenile crime (Livers, 2013).

Standards and Goals Just like in prisons, jails and other correction facilities, American Correctional Association and other relevant organizations have established certain standards for juvenile probation and parole. These act as guidelines for best practices. These standards however, have not been adopted universally because probation services can be provided through various ways, and still meet the needs for rehabilitation and safety, and observe the legal rights of minors. According the standards, before placing a juvenile under probation, a needs assessment is necessary, accompanied by a service plan.

The standards further recommend that the needs assessment be done by a probation officer, with the help juvenile and his or her family members. The following areas of need should be assessed: proximity of the correctional program to the youth, medical problems, availability of placements, and the capacity of the youth to benefit from the program. There should also be availability of supplemental services that