modern probation service

[mysticman]

What do people think about it? Im a Probation Officer and wondered whether people think our work makes a difference.

[Dee Sa]

I think you mean well and try to do a good job but the majority who are on probation look on it as an easy let off and do their best to pull the wool over you eyes. Do you actually check with employers that they are at work when they say they are ?
If you help one person to turn around then you should feel good about it, but I think that your profession is overstretched and you have too many for one person to "look after". I have nothing but praise for you, but I think the failure rate outnumbers the suceesses.
Good luck.

[Ethel]

I think most people would like the government to invest at least as much time, money and energy in supporting the victims of crime, as well as the perpetrators.

And the majority of people have no dealings with the probation office and have little or no knowledge of what you actually do.

But it is a job that needs to be done, and a good probation officer is worth his weight in gold.

[BuckyKat]

I think if you're good at what you do, then what you do is very worthwhile, its not an easy job but in my experience if you can help someone turn off crime and support them in doing that then you are helping potential victims too...I think it makes a difference

[suffragette]

The probation service is an excellent idea, but underfunding and excessive workloads make it difficult for the service to keep the public even reasonably confident in its effectiveness.

[mysticman]

The government has invested lots of cash in the Service, and increased the staff, but also the workloads have increased, and especially the computer work.

Re victims: we deal with offenders mainly after they have been sentenced and often don't have direct vicitm contact (many of them dont want it!). We have more victim workers than ever before, mainly working with the partners of domestic abusers. Victim awareness is always a part of risk assessment too. In fact, we are not orientated around supporting offenders now as much as controlling them (helping them to control themselves too), which is developed from a more victim centred service.

I agree that the public dont really see what we do, and dont know how to change this - what could we do to be more visible?

All comments appreciated - thanks

[reffgt]

Sorry to say but it seems that half the Probation Officers are too young, who on earth would go to someones front door to examine a child who has been ill treated, Not be let in, and blithely go away several times, kid dies, nobody get the sack !!!!! Its like everthing else Lessons Will Be Learnt. WHEN ???????? I and thousands of others would like an answer. Same with guns and knives. Now I read you cant call persons Yobs. How about Scum. that fits. You know that stuff that goes down a drain.

[doglady]

Well you've all made me really nervous now!! I'm waiting to start a job as a probation service officer in the next few weeks, once they get on and get all my medical stuff out the way.

Now I don't know if I want to!!!