Diagnosing, planning and methodology of work of probation officers

Abstract

The text is an attempt to describe and diagnose the activities carried out by probation officers in the area of methodology of their work on the basis of nationwide research. A team established by the Institute of Justice developed a questionnaire, conducted an empirical (file) survey on a sample of more than 500 court cases, a dogmatic, statistical, comparative analysis, and an analysis of the results of non-participant observation in the scope specified in the report. The article is only a fragment of the research concerning preparation for work and diagnosis, allowing to go on to indicate the way of planning, evaluation and selection of methods of rehabilitation, educational or preventive work by court welfare officers. The analysis shows that the casework method is not the dominant method of working with supervised persons, but one of the most popular ones, even if it is not directly characterized in the documentation. The basic method of influence is direct psychotechnics – most often identified with dialog, conversation, persuasion, motivation, awareness-raising, support, and above all educational conversation. Control, on the other hand, is one of the most common forms of influence. The study is concluded with the presentation of conclusions, recommendations, and methodological guidelines, as well as proposals for systemic solutions concerning also the possibilities of improving professional competence.