Major Functions of the Probation Officer

The relationship between probation service and the delinquent in correctional field implies that a probation officer should have a thorough understanding of the following issues:

(i) The legal implications involved in the case of delinquent to be released on probation and functions of various personnel and major policy issues involved in the system of probation;

(ii) Information about offender’s antecedents and social and personal problems leading to his delinquent act. The probation officer should also be in a position to analyse the personality disorders represented by the offender and the sub-culture characteristics of his group;

(iii) Attitudes of the delinquent and his readiness to co-operate with the probation staff;

(iv) Knowledge about the functions and responsibilities as a probation officer and ability to make use of his authority for exercising control over probationers.

The probation officers employed in correctional services play a vital role in bringing about the rehabilitation and reformation of offenders and resocialising them as useful members of society. The major functions of a probation officer may be summarised as follows:—

(1) Investigation and surveillance:

A thorough inquiry into the life history and antecedents of the delinquent is necessary for the purpose of securing information about his failures or successes in meeting the obligations of his legal status. Proper investigation and surveillance will enable further imposition of restrictions on liberty of the delinquent, in case he does not respond favourably to the treatment process.

(2) Use of professional control to modify offender’s behaviour:

This again is a part of the commonly recognised process of professional control based on the force of State. The control administered by the probation officials over the probationers under their charge may include:—

(i) Revocation of probation order;

(ii) Reporting to the appropriate judicial or administrative authorities the behaviour which constitutes violation of law;

(iii) Making scheduled and unscheduled visits to the place of delinquents; and

(iv) Assisting the authorities in making arrest of the delinquent who has proved a failure in the process of probation.

(3) Acting as a legal authority in delinquent’s life with responsibility for value change:

This task has important bearing upon the treatment relationship. The probation officials have to associate themselves closely with the delinquent and make use of their legal authority to ensure correctional treatment of delinquent through rehabilitative methods. They should proceed with the basic assumption that delinquent is not one who is to be changed but one whose value considerations need to be changed.

(4) Decision making:

This is one of the most important functions to be performed by probation authorities in dealing with probationers. While taking decisions the probation officials should bear in mind that they are of major importance to the delinquent as also to the community insofar as they affect the freedom of offender on the one hand, and safety of the community on the other. These decisions usually involve calculated risks and must therefore, be exercised with utmost caution.

According to David Dressier, the functions of Probation Officials involve four major techniques to be employed for effective supervision over probationer. They are:

i. Manipulative Technique:

An effort is made to make the offender’s environment more conducive in terms of cordial family relationship, employment, social adaptability etc. by adopting this technique.

ii. Executive Technique:

By employing this technique, the probation/parole officer helps the offender by referring him to appropriate welfare agencies or social service organisation or recreation homes etc.

iii. Guidance Technique:

The probation official renders assistance and guidance to his client by using his professional skill. This technique helps the probationer to develop his personality through self-help, self-reliance and self-discipline.

iv. Counselling Technique:

The probation officer utilises this technique in solving the personality problems of the probationers and rendering them necessary advice in times of need.

The success of the probation programme largely depends on the quality of probation staff deployed to handle the offenders who are released on probation. The probation agents should not only be well trained and skilled but they should also have adequate time to devote to the probationers. Unfortunately, the situation in India in this regard is far from satisfactory because of lack of desired awareness about the probation scheme and the personnel deployed for probation services doing their job just in a routine manner.