New-York tribune., 1909-03-15
PROBATION ON INCREASE.
annual Report of State Commission
Good Results.

ALBANY March 1.-THE second annual report OF
the State Probation Commission, which viii go 10
the Legislature tomorrow, shows marked IN
in the use of the probation system for both
child and adult offenders. Since the commission
organized its work on September /, 1907, more
courts and Supreme Court justices have appointed
probation officers for the first time than made ap-
pointments during the preceding six years, Two
Thousand seven hundred and ffty-four children ana
$50 adults a total Of more than 10000 persons
were on probation in the state during 1905. All OF
these persons had been convicted Of offences for
which they might have been committed 10 institu-
tons but because Of mitigating circumstances they
released ccnditionallv on their good behavior
under suspension OF and the supervision OF
a probation officer The probation system was used
in TWEEN .y-six cities eight towns and villages, in
twenty-three county courts and in the Supreme
Court in six counties. The number Of probation
officers increased during the year to more than
three hundred. The number Of cities and counties
appropriating salaries TO probation officers doubled
during 1905 The commission recommends extend
ing the jurisdiction Of county probation officers
along the lines suggested by Governor Hughes in
his annual message
Original appointments OF probation officers were
made during 1908 in the cities of Corning Hudson.
New Rochelle, Ogdensburg. Rensselaer, and Rome
in the morning and police courts in Buffalo: I'm the
county courts OF Albany Chenango. Columbia,
Dutchess, Franklin Herkimer ontario Rockland,
St Lawrence and Suffolk counties: in seven towns
and villages and in the Supreme Court I'm five
counties
The first direct appropriations by county boards
of supervisors TO probation officers made In
1875 in the counties OF Broome. Chenango, Erie,
Essex. Montgomery. Onondass. Oswego. Saratoga.
Schuyler and Suffolk, and appropriations were also
made for all the courts in Buffalo and for the
Johnstown recorders court besides which salaries
provided for additional probation officers in
several courts in New York City. over one hun
dred probation officers are salaried from pub
lie funds and by private organizations. The
mission emphasizes the necessity securing prop
erly qualified persons act as probation officers.
Their attitude toward their probationers should be
that Of a friend.
The reports Of probation officers I'd the commits
sion estimate that more than 50 per Of the
children and more than 70 per cent of the adults
improved in conduct. Accounts are given OF sew
eral cases illustrating the success OF the system
Only Y per cent Of those passed from probationary
oversight were committed institutions during
their probationary term because OF poor conduct
The reports call attention the economy effected
by supervising probatoners IN their homes instead
of caring for them In institutions
The only change recommended In the probation
law at present is an amendment giving county
judges authority to appoint county probation ofh-
GERS, whose services shall be available not only-in
the County Court. present but also In the SUI
preme Court and in inferior courts In the county
This recommended by Governor Hughes in his
message.