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Discussion: Probation as a Social Service Approach
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Discussion: Probation as a Social Service Approach
Probation social service approach is more effective in minimizing recidivism because it
seeks to focuse on reforming the offender, ensures the offender's effective reintegration back into
society, and finally, it allows the offender to receive additional assistance through therapy
programs and counseling. The social service approach would be critical to an offender's effective
re-integration into society (Walton et al., 2017). It ensures that the suspect is efficiently
reintegrated into society, despite the fact that certain members of society are unwilling to
welcome the suspect back. Members of the community are frequently involved in probation
processes, ensuring successful reintegration back into society. Furthermore, the approach to
social services can be broad or tailored to the offender.
The method would also visit the offender and engage with them about day-to-day issues,
letting them know they are not alone. This is not something a probation officer would do unless
they were specifically instructed to do so or if they were given a deadline. Once an offender is
released back into society, unless they have a constructive support group waiting for them on the
outside, they are basically on their own. From the scripture, the book of John 8:7 Jesus forgives a
woman taken in for aldultery. He calls for the one without sin to cast the first stone because non
of the accusers will want to take responsibility for it. While a result, greater assistance is needed
for offenders who do not have access to a support group so that they do not feel alone as they
transition (Netto et al., 2014). Even if they are relieved to be out of jail, they will still want
assistance.
Additional training that probation officers would require in order to effectively use the
social service approach is first and foremost being trained in some medical and rehabilitation
approaches, developing an empathetic nature toward the offender and their community members,
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and finally, the probation officers would require additional training to adequately supervise
offenders and report back to their superiors. Because no one knows when they may be placed in
a tough circumstance, probation officers must be taught in medical techniques on an annual
basis.
Probation officers who went above and beyond in their rehabilitation training would
undoubtedly stand out. Certain courts allow offenders to participate in social services, while
others do not; nonetheless, probation officers are trained to enforce some of these activities
(Gideon & Sung, 2011). Probation officers are rarely need to deal with people of the community
unless it is absolutely necessary, therefore training on how to communicate effectively with them
is essential for maintaining a constructive relationship. This collaboration between probation
officials and the community could be a step forward in the criminal justice system.
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References
Gideon, L., & Sung, H.-E. (2011). Rethinking corrections: Rehabilitation, reentry, and
reintegration (3rd ed.). Los Angeles: SAGE.
Netto, N., Carter, J., & Bonell, C. (2014). A Systematic Review of Interventions That Adopt the
“Good Lives” Approach to Offender Rehabilitation. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation,
53(6), 403–432. https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1080/10509674.2014.931746
Online Bible. (2020, May 13). Biblica. https://www.biblica.com/bible/
Walton, J. S., Ramsay, L., Cunningham, C., & Henfrey, S. (2017). New directions: integrating a
biopsychosocial approach in the design and delivery of programs for high risk services
users in Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service. Advancing Corrections: Journal of
the International Corrections and Prison Association, 3, 21-47.
