Course Description
This course is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of the role and function of probation services in the United States. The history of probation will be reviewed. Probation will be described as both a sentence and a process, which means that issues concerning organizational structure, services, statutory authority, and probation officer activities will be discussed and reviewed. Trends in probation; the significance of evidenced-based programming; issues concerning the intake and diversions processes; and the significance of program design and evaluation will be discussed and reviewed.

Learning Objectives

• Define probation.
• List at least three (3) precursor events that led to probation in the United States.
• Describe probation structures as explained in the “lecture.”
• Describe three (3) variables that remain constant concerning structure and services of probation.
• List at least three (3) factors that influence judicial sentencing.
• Define the role and structure of Presentence Investigation (Social History) Reports.
• Define what is meant by probation “terms and conditions.”

• Teacher: Alvin Cohn, D.Crim