The role of criminology in the training of probation officers specialising in the management of young offenders in the Free State

[摘要] English: During the past few years major progress has been made in legislation, criminal policy andthe administration of justice. The transformation of the criminal justice system extended itselfto the humane treatment of youths in conflict with the law. By applying the principles ofrestorative justice, various initiatives and alternatives to imprisonment, such as diversionprogrammes, have been designed and implemented to deal more effectively with SouthAfrica's young offenders. As such, personnel and officials responsible for the provision ofwelfare and rehabilitative services (i.e. social workers, probation officers, magistrates, andpolice and other justice officials) had to re-align themselves in ensuring and securing thevariety of services required for the proper and efficient management of youths in conflict withthe law. In this regard, the competencies and training of officials responsible for servicescame under the spotlight.With this in mind, it was decided to undertake research to determine and describe the trainingthat probation officers dealing with youths in conflict with the law require, and specifically whatCriminology could contribute thereto. Various international and local authors comment on therole that the discipline has thus far played in probation training, but little research exists as tothe scope and nature of such contribution. While pursuing this imperative, probation work'scontribution to and involvement in crime prevention and victim support was also explored andinvestigated.Toward informing these aims and objectives, a total of 38 service providers (i.e. probationofficers and social workers) in the Free State and eight lecturers from the Departments ofCriminology and Social Work (University of the Free State) were consulted. The study designopted for was predominantly explorative in nature, as little is currently known about thetraining needs of probation officers working with young offenders. All respondents werepurposively selected. Personal and group interviews were conducted with the aid of a semistructuredinterview schedule, while structured self-administered questionnaires were utilisedin gathering data from lecturers. A literature review informed and guided the process ofinstrument development. The different forms of data collection complemented each other andpromoted the validity and quality of the data gathered.The main findings indicate specialised probation training to consist of matters related to thefollowing: court work; report writing; legislature; maintaining registers; reception procedures;assessment and diversion; treatment and intervention; informing and working with youths;aftercare; and programme evaluation. The empirical findings also emphasise that studentsshould acquire sufficient practical experience during formal probation and social work training.Additionally, students should be trained in theories applicable to local probation demands.Furthermore, it was found that probation officers and social workers have an active role toplay in crime prevention, mainly due to the nature of probation work, as well as to theirtheoretical knowledge, practical experience and knowledge about the communities theyserve. The findings also indicate that, although victim support services are still inadequate inthe Free State, a positive move toward the plight of victims is made since social workers arerequired to provide victims with support and counselling services. In this regard, victimcentredtraining is urgently needed.Overall, the research indicates criminology to play a primary role in the training of probationofficers specialising in the management of young offenders. Both its theoretical and appliedsides are relevant to such specialised training. More specifically, the study fields of crimecausation, the victim of crime, the offender, crime prevention and the administration ofjustice will be instrumental in ensuring the effective management of youths in conflict with the law.

[发布机构] University of the Free State