published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1991.

Thesis (M.P.A.)--Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, 1994. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-06, page: 2947. Abstract precedes thesis as [3] preliminary leaves. Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 129-135).

The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument to assess probation officers knowledge levels of offenders with intellectual disabilities by utilizing a synthesis of subject matter analysis technique and a comprehensive review of literature. This study was conducted in two phases. The first phase was devoted to establishing the knowledge domain and development of the needs assessment instrument. For this phase the available population consisted of four subject matter experts in southern Illinois and one subject matter expert (SME) from London, England. In order to develop an instrument to assess knowledge that probation officers have about offenders with ID, an establishment of knowledge domains through face-to-face interviews with subject matter experts were completed in this phase. In addition to the content analysis from SME interviews, a comprehensive review of literature on intellectual disabilities was conducted. Outcomes from both methods were compared and similar findings were combined and used to construct items for the first draft of the instrument. A pilot test for the newly developed needs assessment instrument was conducted in the second phase. In order to obtain this validation a pilot field test and re-test, a sample of 25 Jackson County, Illinois, First Circuit Probation, Western Region, juvenile and adult probation officers was used to administer assessment (developed in phase I). Approximately two weeks after first administration, the assessment was re-administered on the same sample population of probation officers. The data source was Probation Officer Knowledge of Intellectual Disabilities Assessment instrument test-retest scores. Responses were scored by giving correct answers one point, and incorrect answers zero. This yielded a total score for knowledge of intellectual disabilities. Scores from the first test administration was compared to scores from the second administration by reviewing overall score correlations. Once each item was computed separately, then all item-total correlations were computed. Cronbach's alpha estimate of reliability was also computed for both the first and second administrations (Trochim & Donnelly, 2007). Additional analysis performed in this study included (a) cut offs for high or low scores based on means, (b) item difficulty, (c) inter-item correlations and, (d) descriptive frequencies on items that assessed probation officers' opinions on organizational structure and attitudes about supervising offenders intellectual disabilities. The ultimate goal of this study was to establish knowledge domains and develop an instrument to assess probation officers' knowledge of offenders with intellectual disabilities. The results of the study can be used to add information to the body of literature to eventually build up enough support to determine a need for criminal justice agency administrators to incorporate effective training material on offenders with intellectual disabilities within curriculum development for new staff orientation, in-service or academy training of probation officers.

Gli Uffici di Esecuzione Penale Esterna rappresentano un campo significativo di lavoro in cui sono impiegati gli assistenti sociali alle dipendenze del Ministero della Giustizia. Essi sono deputati alla presa in carico delle persone sottoposte a misure esterne al carcere, assumendo oggi sempre più importanza nell’intero sistema sanzionatorio. Il servizio sociale della giustizia si trova a operare in un contesto di grande cambiamento che influisce inevitabilmente sull’agire professionale. La tesi dottorale presentata ha la finalità di evidenziare il lavoro dell’assistente sociale dell’U.E.P.E. e i vissuti sperimentati dagli operatori. Per fare ciò è stata condotta una ricerca esplorativa attraverso due strumenti di ricerca differenti. Dapprima è stato inviato un questionario on-line a tutti gli Uffici di Esecuzione Penale Esterna italiani, chiedendo agli assistenti sociali interessati di rispondere a una serie di domande riguardanti le caratteristiche socio-demografiche, le funzioni e le attività svolte. Parallelamente, si è chiesto a un piccolo gruppo di assistenti sociali appartenenti a un Ufficio E.P.E. della Lombardia di tenere un diario aggiornato sulle attività svolte in due giornate lavorative registrando le percezioni e i vissuti sperimentati. I dati ricavati sono stati infine messi a confronto con le tematiche emerse nelle ricerche internazionali riguardanti i Servizi di Probation. / The Probation Offices represent a significant field in which social workers are employed. They are responsible for the supervision and rehabilitation of people subjected to probation and community corrections outside the prison. Probation officers play a critical role in the criminal justice system in Italy and operate in a context of great change that inevitably affects professional work. The thesis presented here has the purpose of highlighting social workers’ activities and feelings in the criminal justice. To do this an exploratory research was conducted using two different tools. First, an online questionnaire was sent to all Italian Probation Offices, asking social workers to answer a series of questions regarding socio-demographic characteristics, functions and activities concerning with their work. In parallel, we asked a small group of social workers of Lombardy to keep an updated diary on their activities in two working days recording the perceived experiences and feelings. The data obtained were finally compared with the issues emerging in international researches concerning Probation Services. Key words: Italy, probation officers, feelings, activities

No description available.

Prison management and key stakeholders lack an understanding of how institutional obstacles interfere with probation officers and parole agents' ability in managing offenders to reduce recidivism in a Midwestern state. In 2014, 1 out of 52 adults in the U.S. were under the supervision of probation officers or parole agents. The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to identify the institutional obstacles that exist for probation officers and parole agents in terms of their lived experiences in their jobs. The participants were 5 probation officers and 6 parole agents from a municipal district in a county in a Midwestern state. The conceptual framework that grounds this descriptive phenomenological study is Meadows' three concepts of systems thinking (elements, interconnections, and purpose). The data collection process involved in-depth interviews and field notes. One hundred percent of the participants identified several themes as institutional obstacles including: lack of community programs, lack of jobs, and heavy caseloads. The implications for positive social change for the key stakeholders identified in the study to reduce recidivism in the criminal justice system were to remove the institutional barriers outlined in the themes and improve institutional practices. Making policy reforms that included drug and alcohol treatment, addressing the issue of prison authority and the creation of rehabilitation programs that feature cognitive development would aid in reduction of recidivism.

The aim of this study is to explore the effects of probation officers and their work. The following questions have been asked to come to a conclusion: How do probation officers view their work and the purpose of it? What are the effects of probation officers work? The approach of the study is of a qualitative nature and has been conducted by interviewing three officers of the correctional service system, three probation officers and two ex-criminals that have been on probation. The selection is based on a snowball type selection. To analyse the results of the study we have applied previous research and phenomenological theory to examine the experience of correctional service officers, probation officers and ex criminals. The results of our empirical study show that motivation is a key factor for successful results of probation officers work. The effects probation officers and their work have on preventing crime are uncertain, but the study shows that the experiences of the work of probation officers are positive and that the work is meaningful to the clients. The supportive and prosocial aspects of probation officers work has been identified as a priority. Our study also shows that the work of probation officers has to change in order to successfully prevent crime and a number of improvements are suggested, such as giving the probation officers specific assignments and giving the probation officers a better education before they are given assignment.