New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-08-03
Chauffeur Unable to Collect for
IS Mile Joy Ride In His Taxicab

ford getting into trouble who
reaches our court, and payment of
fines and costs on the installment
plan Is the natural result.
Constructive criticism is always
welcomed in connection with our
work. Unfortunately, there are still
those who have a wrong conception
of what probation means, and who
ina CINE that being placed on pro-
baton by the court provides an easy
way of evading punishment or paying
fines. For the benefit of those who
do not understand, will again ex-
plain what we are trying to accom-
|plish by the use of the probation
system.
Probation has been defined as "a
system used by courts, in suitable
instances. to discipline or improve
the conduct and conditions Of adult
offenders or children, by releasing
them conditionally under the au-
thoritative, helpful oversight Of an
Official known as the probation Of
ficer.
ITO again quote District Attorney
Thomas C. OBrien Of oston,-'The
only humane agency of the entire
criminal law Is the probation sys-
TEN, and so ] believe that the pro-
baton officers today have to make
it clear to the people, that they do
not regard the probation system as
a panacea for crime
"All cases coming to our court
are not cases that call for proba-
ton, nor are all cases placed on
probation. Care is, and should be
taken that only those whom We
think can be benefited, are allow
ed the privilege of being dealt with
in this particular way
There are disagreeable features
connected with some of the cases
needing our attention which all con-
cerned with our court would gladly
see eliminated, were it possible
However, as long as individuals
knowingly and wilfully defy the au-
thorities and persist in violating the
law, after being warned and gra-
ciously dealt with by the court,
there is no other way left but to
pnish, always with the hope of re-
form alton in mind Unfortunately,
sometimes the innocent have to suf-
fer as a result of Furnishing the Of
fender, but the law must be upheld
and respected, as obediences to law
is fundamental to liberty. and to
pick and choose the laws to obey
would result in anarchy
No one but those closely con-
nected with the work realize the
great need Of extending and enlarg-
ing the service to secure the results
aimed at in the law. An experienced
case worker would be of the great
est value for constructive work in
the homes Of the probationers. 1t
is impossible at the present time for
your officer alone, to properly
supervise those in his control do the
necessary visitation, and attend to
the many duties connected with
complaints domestic troubles, and
non-support cases that are constant
~ calling for his attention. There
were two hundred and twenty-four
(224 cases referred to the officer
by the prosecuting attorney and
others this past year, for possible
adjustment and settlement without
court procedure. aside from those
placed on probation
Were it not for the fact that
some of those with whom we have
had dealings might recognize them
selves If a word picture were drawn
of their cases. many interesting and
very human stories could be written
about the particular need or trouble
that heset them. It is astounding
how simple cause may wreck
home, and how many innocent peo-
pie are involved in the simplest
cases Of Wrong-doing that have to
be cared for through court agencies.
No matter how ridiculous or simple
the trouble may appear to outsiders,
it is vitality real to the person trou-
bled, and the wisdom of Solomon,
were it available. would not be too
great to find righteous settlement
in the more difficult and complex