The Topeka state journal., 1922-03-04

8 Survey of Conditions in the Juvenil,
erty, refusing to obey parents, chronic
truancy and a variety of other crimes.
If the OffenSe is of a trivial ma
ture, the boy is brought into the Of
flee and lectured by the probation Of
ficer. When the offense is more seri-
GUS the complainant files a complaint
in the juvenile court and the boy is
taken into custody by the court and
is interviewed by tbs probation off
Ger. Before this interview is held the
case is investigated for the purpose of
finding out the standing of his par
ents, his home conditions, his asso-
ciates, character, school record, boy
scout and Sunday school record, the
nature of the offeEse and the cause.
The boy is then brought into the Of
flee of the probation officer and a
confession obtained, not by the third
degree" but by kindly methods.
AT this time the boy is in need of
a friend and appreciates any kind
word or action that he may receive.
He expects that the first word to be
spoken to him will be of a scolding
nature, or an inquiry into the offense
and why he did it. But instead, he is
asked his age, what football squad he
belongs to, what form of athletics he
likes best, and soon he forgets all
about the reason for his presence
there.
conversation, the depressed feeling
leaves him and he begins to feel that
this isn't such a bad world, after all
He feels friendly toward every one
His confidence has. been gained and
he is now in the frame of mind to
give a clear statement of his offense
and the history of his case. A kindly, or
sympathetic word now and then, or a
reference to his father and mother
will have the desired effect. After
the confession has been made, a COM
plete history of the boy and his case
is prepared for the judge of the court
This is called the probation officers s
report. An index card of the boys
history is also kept for future refer
ence.
The only rational approach to cor
rect dealing with a given offender is
thru an intimate, accurats knowledge
of his home conditions, personality
and associations. During the personal
interview only the boy and the proba-
ton officer are together. All others
must wait until the case is ready to be
tried or disposed of. The case is set
for trial about three day. later. This
hearing is held. in the office of the
probation officer and only those di-
rectly interested are admitted. Cases
of children are held with the utmost
care and the feelings of child and
parents are carefully protected. Pend
ing the hearing, the boy is left in care
of his parents or guardian, who are
responsible Tor his appearance in
court. The boy is placed upon his
honor and promises to properly con-
duct himself while in their care. Only
in case he cannot be trusted is a boy
held in the detention home.
Read Officers Report.
At the hearing the probation Off
GERS report is read; the complaining
witness states his case. the witnesses
testify and the boys parents give what
information they can The judge asks
and upon he evidence thus assembled
he bases his decision of what he knows
to be the best for the boy and the
public. There may be any one of six
decisions: sentence suspended sem
tence suspended and the boy placed in
care of the probation officer, SEN
fenced to the boys industrial school
and paroled. sentenced and committed,
taken under advisement or the case
dismissed.
If the boy is not committed to the
industrial school, but is made a ward
of the court by any of the first three
decisions, he is given from 500 to
1 200 merits to earn, depending upon
the seriousness Of the offense and de-
cision of the judge.
After a oy is made ward of the
court his name is given to the Boys
Work committee of the Rotary club,
which appoints one of its members to
act as a Big Brother to this particular
boy. The boy is instructed to report
before 10 o'clock every Saturday
morning to the probation officer. He
brings a report from his school con-
cerning his conduct, attendance. ef-
fort and scholarship during the week;
a report from his home concerning
his general conduct; Sunday school
and boy scout attendance; a report
of good turns generally and a general
report of how he spent the week. 1t
is possible for him to earn 100 merits
each week If his record is perfect.
When he makes this report he has an
to ask about any matter
on which he needs advice and if in
need of work during his spare time
the probation officer tries to find
job for him.
The duty of the probation officer is
to be the good Samaritan of the
court. seeking by kindly guidance and
practical service to bring back to self
respect and usefulness those who. thru
ignorance, wsllfulness or misfortune
have fallen into the hands of the law.
He is the Big Brother of all deliu-
quent boys mot bad boys. because
there are none) and should bring out
their good traits He must protect the
boy as well as the public Probation