Norwich bulletin., 1919-03-06
DIR. VALERA PARKER SHOWS
WHAT PROBATION AIMS AT

Probation is q lend a hand move
ment, an effort more adequately to re-
establish the probationer in the COM
munity although not to excuse him
from punishment, DR.. Valera Parker
of Hartford told the March meeting of
Faith Trumbull chapter. D. \. r, be-
fore which she spoke Wednesday af-
ternoon at O'Clock in prayer meet
ing room of the Central Baptist
church. It was a public meeting and
had IN attendance of about 80, in
GLIDING q number of women not mem
bers of the chapter.
DR.. Parker spoke particularly in re-
lation to the probation system which
il is desired TO establish in Connecticut
and in regard to the bill calling for q
large appropriation for buildings at
the state farm for women which has
been established at East Lyme. She
sketched the changes in the last 100
years il tfse attitude towards the
criminal and pointed out that prola.-
ton was an attempt to restore the de
linquent as a useful member Of the
social and community life, through
leaving him in the community in
charge OF someone familiar and inter-
ested in his problems, rather than in
giving him educational and corrective
measures away from the community
where he had made, his mistake. The
aim is to work out of the delinquent
the thing that has made him a law
breaker and restore him to society.
Investigation is one OF the prime
duties Of the probation officer, reach
ing into physical and mental condi-
tons of the delinquent. This applies
before the case comes up before the
judge and enables the ejudge to apply
probation TO the case if it seems that
the best results can be thereby
achieved. The probation officer who
is doing effective work for the person
in his charge must look up the job, the
family conditions, the church relation
ship, friendships, and the possibility of
further school training as a corrective
agency. The probation officer who is
satisfied merely to receive weekly re-
ports that everything is going all right
is far from realizing what his Office is
for
Probation proves to be especially
valuable III non support cases and
with children and women first offend
ers. 1t is the experience, too, that it
is q large saving TO the state in ex-
pense, Of which Massachusetts, fur
nished an example, as in 40 years It
! has not been necessary to add new
cell TO it's jails and state prisons The
probation system is very highly deVel-
oped in that state.
Those who are working for an eff
fective probation system in Connect
cut are asking that it should be put
on d sound basis that there should be
a chief state probation officer, a coun-
| ty probation officer for each county
more women probation officers, a stan
dard for probation work established
and d modification of the system SC
| that the appointment OF the officer
should not depend upon the judge ant
| be subject to the fluctuations arising
from changing political control. Ther
the community should stand back o
the probation officer, and instead o
! trying to remind a man or woman o.
| child forever after of the slip that hat
been made, put out its hand to say
I'VE will help you to live that mistak
down"
MRS. W. Tyler Browne, regent Of tn
chapter, presided at the meeting
which opened with the singing o
America. This was followed by we
rendered contralto solo, Upheld CLOS
mer), sung by Mrs. Leonard c. Prem
tice. for whom Miss Flor!ne Scohel