Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-08
EXPERT REPORT ON PROBATION
New York state Commission Points
Out Defects and Possibilities
of the System.


The New York State Probation commis-
sion was ,appeinted by Governor. Higgins
In obedience to a, law passed one year ago,
Its purpose was the, Investigation pf the
operations of the probation system, and to
report to the legislature of the present
session its conclusions and recommends,
tons. i MAJ VIZ S3E'tJlS G5
This report has been made and several
bills have been introduced for the purpose
Of carrying out its recommendations.
The commission has Iabored quietly and
earnestly during the last year and has
made very careful, INQUIRY intp the actual
conduct Of probation work in the leading
cities of the state, especially in New York
City.
In this report the commission gives II
history of probation work in New York
City, and devotes considerable space to a
description of the work as 1t is actually
carried on in the courts. 1t points out a
number OF merits and defects with a sug-
gestioh that the latter shall be Immediately
renleded.
It is the declaration OF the commission
that in the magistrates courts Of New
York City the results are less satisfactory
and less useful than In any other courts
in which 1t has been undertaken.
In dwelling upon this point, the report
says; while the probation system. is OF
undoubted value and In our opinion Is
capable OF much wider acceptance and
more extended use than at present, in COM
mon with other human institutions It is
not free from dangers. These dangers
arise in the main from a disposition to re-
gard the newest thing in social advance as
/ panacea, and consequently 20 apply It
without due discrimination. Probation is
valuable institution; but It Is not in all
cases. even OF juvenile offenders, a proper
substitute for commitment. To fail TO place
I the offender under a vigorous corrective
discipline when such course is clearly in
dictated by the circumstances of the Of
Tense. and the previous character and pres
eDt disposition of the offender. Is an evil
only less serious than TO imprison the Of
fender when the circumstances would JUS
tify his release upon probation"
| Considerable attention is given to the
care Of children and from this point the
report says;
The probationary oversight Of Juvenile
offenders should include full knowledge 81
all the important factors in tho ehiids h{t
affecting his conduct. It should cer.AiE&
include full knowledge OF his homo sur
roundings; OF the training received "a the
home OF his attendance at school aud hii
aptitude shown In his school WORT; II hii
forms OF recreation: OF his religious train
ing. It should also include that which d
very frequently overlooked and is, never
theless, OF the highest importance-a care
full physical examination of the child by
competent physician. Such an examination
viii often bring to light defect OF tn,
senses or other abnormal physical con
ditions easily susceptible Of remedy. which
have a marked bearing. II not a determln
ing effeet. upon the ehild's conduct"
In taking up the matter Of what shoul,
be done to correct evils a number Of sug
gestions were made, several OF which ar
as follows:
THAT in each city OF the irst-class Their
shall be established an unpaid probation
commission I'm general charge OF probation
work within such cities, each such boar
10 have the power OF appointment and re
moval of probation onicer salaried an
otherwise and to have authority to estat
lish general rules and regulations concern
ing the duties OF probation officers; sue
general rules and regulations. however, nc
TO supersede in any particular case an
terms or conditions imposed by the couI
In suspending sentence in that particula
case
That whenever an offender is release
under a suspended sentence, he shall b
placed under the supervision OF a proba
ton oficer.
That the minimum term OF probati0nar
oversight OF children, unless sooner tel
minated by reasons Of misbehaVjor. sha
be three months.
THAT the minimum term OF probationar
oversight Of adults. unless sooner term
, mated by reason OF misconduct shall b
I three months, except In the case Of fe
onies. In which cases the minimum term {
J probationary oversight shall be one year.
Cleveland Plain Dealer.