Discussion Instructions
Thread must be 400–550 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 150 words. Each thread must support the student’s assertions with at least 3 citations in the current APA format, and each reply must be supported by at least 2 citations.
Topic: Probation as a Social Service Approach
Thread: How would a social service approach for probation be more effective in helping to reduce recidivism? What additional trainings should a probation officer receive in order to be more effective using a social service approach? This is a 2-part question.
Peer Response #1
How would a social service approach for probation be more effective in helping to reduce recidivism?
The social service approach for probation could be very effective for offenders if implemented properly as it can improve their lives and their success. Social service networks can collaborate in helping all individuals become self-sufficient and aid the overall well-being of the individuals (Hayden, 2017). According to Hayden (2017), the most popular social service professionals consist of Human Service Assistants, Probation Officers, rehabilitation counselors, school and career counselors, substance abuse counselors, health educators, and marriage or family therapists. Social services offered such as financial assistance, food stamps, medical insurance, mental health services, and home assistance are examples of available resources (Hayden, 2017). Those resources could be beneficial for offenders, especially ones reintegrating back into the community after incarceration. However, some offenders are unaware of the options available to them or do not know how to apply for such programs. Therefore, it would be helpful for offenders if probationer officers were trained or at least had connections with social service workers to provide them insight. Additionally, if probation officers were better trained to understand exactly what programs can help meet the needs of their offenders then they could better address the offenders underlying issues that have potentially caused their criminal behavior.
What additional training should a probation officer receive in order to be more effective using a social service approach?
Probation officers have several barriers or limitations in the ability to perform their role and variation occurs between staff and their performance such as limited formal training or lack of service agreements (Sirdifield, et al., 2016). Limitations on training cause issues in officer’s confidence in identifying mental illness and what referrals they should be making on behalf of the offenders (Sirdifield, et al., 2016). For example, it would be beneficial for a probation officer to know what mental health assistance programs there are in their community for offenders who struggle. In Sirdifield, et al., (2016) article, they state that probation’s role is identifying and monitoring mental illness and working in partnership with other agencies to ensure that offenders’ health and social care needs are met. In Clark, et al., (2015) study, they implemented the Impact Personality Disorder Project, which provided psychologically informed consultation and training to probation staff in certain areas. The aim of the training was to help probation staff to identify disorders, understand the links between an individual’s presentation and offending behavior, improve offender engagement, understanding access to services, and sentence planning (Clark, et al., 2015). A small team consisting of a forensic psychologist, an assistant psychologist, and a specialist probation officer were who provided the training and the results were positive in reducing recidivism (Clark, et al., 2015). This demonstrates and reiterates that proper training in resources for social services is crucial for providing the best outcomes for offenders.
Peer Response #2
The probation system is archaic, and has little change despite its growing population. Since its development decades ago, it was adopted into a government entity, and has become a law enforcement driven profession (Gideon & Sung, 2011). In recent years there has been a decline in juveniles incarcerated across the country, but there is a rise in juveniles on probation (Schwartz, 2018). Schwartz (2018) stressed the importance of changes that should be made to the probation system in the 21st century. Of the many changes that were suggested, he suggested that the overall goals of probation departments need to change. He further elaborated that probation departments need to focus on developing families and individualized plans through expectations and goals instead of a strict cookie cutter system (Schwartz, 2018). This is consistent with a social services approach because it stresses the importance of social integration and individualization. Specifically focused on the juvenile population, this group of offenders is more at risk for peer pressure related events, due to the cognitive development levels of most juvenile offenders.
What further strengthens the need for a social services approach, is that the goals of social services are similar to the evidence based goals that reduce recidivism. Three factors that have shown to decrease recidivism is to further problem solving skills and gain employment skills (Gideon and Sung, 2011). If we were to approach offenders on probation from a gentle, individualized approach we may be able to make each offender more successful. Instead of feeling forced to participate in a system that does not recognize needs of the individual.
One of the best ways to improve the probation system is by changing the way probation officers work, starting with their training. These officers have little training on personality disorders, in addition to overall mental health. It is important to understand how to recognize personality disorders within the offenders they assist. It is important that they understand that treatment and probation must be tailored to the individual in order for it to be successful, thus lowering recidivism rates. Brown et al (2018)., further reported that after training probation officers on various personality disorders they reported feeling more comfortable in identifying personality disorders among offenders, and identifying services and resources that can benefit the offender. Townsend (2020) reccomends training probation officers on identification and treatment of learning disabilties. Again, it would be easier to recognize the needs of the offender with learning disabilities if they had proper training. We cannot expect probation to do the impossible. Until they are given proper training we cannot expect them to adopt a model or mission that they are unprepared for. The training and tools provided to these critical officers, will ultimately benefit society as a whole. When offenders are successfully rehabilitated everybody wins.
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