The Washington times., 1920-10-28
WORK REEVES
D.C.0FFENDERS

Nothing tends so much towarc
the rehabilitation of an offender as
steady work and the assurance Of
trust and confidence in him by his
employer" says Amos A. Steele,
probation officer Of the District
Supreme Court, in his annual re-
port to the justices Of this tri.
bunal, made public today.
HAS RECORD YEAR.
During the past fiscal year. says Mr..
Steele, more offenders were handled
through his office than in any year
since the probation system was estab-
lished, and more were placed on pro-
baton. Three hundred and sixty-six
cases were referred to his office for
investigation and out OF this number
213 were placed on probation. an in
crease over the previous year Of 126
cases referred to the probation Of
Ace and an icrease Of so cases placed
on probation.
Referring to this increase. Mr..
Steele says "there was q pronounced
increase in cases handled for forgery
and uttering, housebi eaking ana lAr-
Ccuy, idiSShy'
tion Of the postal laws and viola ion
Of the narcotic laws.
Speaking Of the latter. the proba-
ton officer says: "There Is a larger
percentage of failure under proba-
tion in narcotic cases than in any
others. Many OF these unfortunates
honestly try to refrain from the use
Of drugs and from the evil ways that
the drug habit induces. Many OF
them succeed for a short time and
few for longer periods, but they
furnish the most d fficult Of all cases
to deal with"
FEW PROBATION VIOLATIONS.
The use Of probation as a substitute
for Imprisonment Is feasible. accord
ing to Mr.. steele. only after thorough
Investigation Of the respective cases
and the circumstances Of the offense
and history and needs of the defen-
dant.
"It should not be used a. an easy
way Of disposing Of perplexins
cases." advises MT. Steels," and 1t
never has been SO used in this juris-
diction. This probably accounts for
the comparatively few cases 70 vio-
lation OF probation here" The pro-
bation officer says that only about
Is per cent of the probationers fail
in their obligations and that during
the past fiscal year the number has
been smaller than In former years.
when such prohationers do fall .
says Mr.. Steele. "even In the respect
OF reporting to the probation officer
as directed, ] think their probation
should be revoked in all cases where
the offender is apprehended. It is
only thus that the dignity and value
OF the probation system can be main
tained. There Is a small percentage
OF probationers who apparently do
not profit by probation. They work
only as necessity lmpels: they report
to the probation officer irregularly
and finally cease to report altobether
Some OF the drift into other crimes.
OVER 200 ON PROBATION.
There are upwards Of 400 persons
on probation exclusive of non-sup-
port cases, according to Mr.. tSeeie's
report. Some OF these have beer
on probation for Ave years or more
families.
1T 10 but truth to state that tho
larger percentage OF those who have
been given a chance, appreciate and
make the most OF the opportunity"
Practitioners of the District Su.
preme Court, says Mr.. steele may bs
found In nearly ever kind OF en-.
ployment In this city and he says I,
II gratifying to know that en-
ployers are willing to give proba.
tioners the opportunity practically tc
demonstrate that the leniency shown
them has not been In vain. Many OF
these offenders were assured OF en-.
pioyment before being placed on pro-
bstion. and this fact is always q
consideration In making recommen.
dAtions for probation."