The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1946-02-25

that probation services are render.
ed before an individual has been
committed TO an institution while
parole services are rendered after
he already has spent part OF his
time in an institution.
THE paramount object Of both
probation and parole is protection
for society against the future acts
Of either the probationer or the
parolee. Insofar as 1t is compatI-
bic with the protection and well
fare Of society, both probation and
parole seek the complete rehabilt-
tation OF the individual offender"
In a word, probation has two
functions: investigation Of the OF.
fender to discover the psychologist
al and enyironmental cause OF his
crimes; and supervision over him,
without conhning him in prison. in
the hope OF redeeming him. Pro-
batlon is not coddling: II Is the re.
construction Of the individual. Not
all who commit crimes are vicious,
particularly among juvenile offend
ers. Some are Just wild. like the
girl OF IL OF a splendid family who
was arrested for soliciting sailors
and soldiers on Broadway; others
are imaginative and inadequately
grounded In a moral system like
the boy who stole his fathers saw
ings out OF the hideaway In the
piano. Probation separates such
children from tough and hardened
criminals and builds character
where the parents had failed.
In many cities big brother and
big sister movements have for
many years been part OF the proba-
ton machinery on a voluntary
basis, cut they can only be supple.
mentary to the special officers OF
the court appointed for that pur.
pose. When such officers are po-
litical appointees, interested only
In feeding themselves at the public
trough, functioning inadequately,
without training or imagination,
not only do the boys and girls SUI.
fer but society as well. In a per.
Tod Of increasing Juvenile crime.
the agencies OF probation should
be extended and modernized.
II Is curious that In the largest
city in America, the probation
system should be among the worst.
Mr.. Probst describes It as follows:
"In New York we have eight sep
arate and distinct probation de-
partments. There is no desirable
Standardization or uniformity Of
methods. Policies, practices, meth.
DDS and procedures differ with
each department. There are eight
qualities OF probation service be.
ing rendered In the City OF New
York with only one department
meeting, in every respect, estab-
lished state standards. The work
Of three departments has improv.
ed tremendously, and II granted
additional personnel, they should
be able To render excellent ser
vice. The other departments fall
far short Of the goal Of good proba-
ton work principally because OF
lack OF leadership and adequate
personnel. :"
Unfortunately, this picture II
wholly true and little is being done
about II. For whereas crime, when
II hits the front pages. is sensa.
tional and absorbing. II is general.
ly regarded as an isolated and un-
usual instance OF human abnormal
tiles and nothing further Is done
about II. A few serious-minded re-
formers attempt to fight crime with
moral teachings and a recognition
that only deep grounding in objec-
tive truth can rescue any human
being from effects OF q lax environ.
ment. Yet, crime may hit any
home. rich or poor, decent or In
decent, in this era of inadequate
parental influence over the child.
II would seem wise TO check the
probation system in every city TO
see whether II is a moral institution
or Just another vehicle for political
patronage.
Copyright. 1915, for Ypsilanu
Daily Press)