Court Services507 Third Street • Columbus, IN 47201 History of ProbationJohn Augustus, a shoemaker from Boston, is credited with developing the first volunteer probation service in America. In 1841, he secured the release of a confirmed alcoholic by acting as surety for him. The offender became a sober, law-abiding citizen. During the next 17 years, Augustus acted as surety for over 1,100 male offenders and nearly 800 female offenders. As the number of offenders increased, so did the volunteers. In 1878, Massachusetts became the first state to enact a statutory provision for paid court appointed probation officers. Probation officers have two primary functions as defined by statute - to prepare social histories or Presentence Investigation Reports and supervise probationers. Social histories must be written on all juvenile delinquents awaiting out-of-home placement, while Presentence Investigation Reports are written on all adult defendants who could be imprisoned in excess of 1 year. Also included in these reports are various documents such as school records and psychiatric reports. The social history is a sentencing tool for the court. The probation officer monitors probationers making sure conditions of probation are followed. If he/she is arrested or fails to follow through on a special condition such as not completing a treatment program, the probation department sets in motion a hearing to determine if a violation has occurred. If the probationer is found to be in violation, the probation officer may submit a sentencing recommendation. Since its meager beginning a little over a 100 years ago, probation has become the most widely used means of monitoring offenders. In Bartholomew County alone there are approximately 1,600+ adult probationers and 250 juveniles at any one time. Probation is a positive response to incarceration for both probationers and the community. It cost approximately $200 a year for each probationer as opposed to an average of $25,000 a year to incarcerate. Probationers pay for part of the services rendered by paying monthly supervision fees. Victims benefit from probation as probationers are frequently ordered to pay restitution. By keeping probationers in the community, families are spared the devastating effects of being torn apart and the likelihood of becoming a welfare statistic. |
