Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-12
Parole Systems Success Hinges
On Field Officers Efficiency
BY CHRISTIE RINEHART

Allen Avery said hello. Then,
do you know where Joe is?
Amt he called you? He said
he called you" Joe's aunt said,
mo. he hasn't called me-"
Joe is on parole. Mr.. Avery,
a field parole officer working
under the District Parole Board,
is in charge of Joe's case.
Joe stole an automobile and
served Is months of a term Of
three years and 9 months. in
Lorton Reformatory. He was
paroled a month ago. Two weeks
after his release he disappeared.
He left the job arranged for him
by Mr.. Avery. he left the room
he is supposed to occupy. He
is in violation of his parole agree
ment.
"I'll have to swear a warrant
for him unless he can explain, 4"
Mr.. Avery said later. THAT
means his case goes before the
parole board and he'll probably
be sent back to Lorton."
This was one incident in the
parole officers day.
1t is primarily the work OF
these field officers-the ones
most directly responsible for the
rehabilitation of the parolee-
which is the heart of the parole
system. On the effectiveness of
their efforts rests the success of
parole.
With the recent suggestion by
the Washington Criminal Justice
Association that the probation
and parole system of the Dis
Itrict be expanded, The Star de-
lcided to take a look at the little
known tasks facing the parole
Officer.
Such an expansion, now under
consideration by the District
Commissioners, would mean
more Mr.. Averys working with
men released from prison here.
Drunk and Disorderly
Mr.. Avery's next stop tina
same day was the 18th Police.
Precinct. Another of his cases
was picked up for being drunk
and disorderly. The circum-
stances of the arrest have to be
investigated. This man was
picked up once before since his
parole. He is already in viola.
ton of his parole conditions. but
perhaps if the incident is not too
serious, he will be warned and
given a break.
The arresting officer was not
at the precinct. so Mr.. Avery
will have to check with him later
on details of the arrest.
Another stop, this time at a
Wholesale distributing plant. was
to check a parolee who works as
a stock clerk. This man, a
musician, was sent to Lorton for
using narcotics. Mr.. Avery has
heard he is smoking REFERS.
mo sir" his charge told him.
I'm behaving myself"
The young musician clerks
now because the parole board
thinks he might get into trou-
BILE again if he hangs around in
Joints" with a band.
Several Others Visited
"rll try to get you a tipping
job" Mr.. Avery told him. The
parolee learned tipping while he
was in Lorton. He types 80
words a minute. But he is a
Negro. and it's hard to get
clerk-typist jobs for his Negro
charges. Mr.. Avery said.
Mr.. Avery visited several
other cases that day:
His. one woman charge. was
committed to Lorton for mar
cotics use. Her boy friend has
been picked UP for selling drugs.
She lost her job two weeks ago
because her 3-year-old child was
sick. She was not home.
I'll probably have to take her
before the board" the officer
said. "She's not working and
she's not checking in with me
the way she's supposed to-"
A crippled shoe shine boy was
next on his visiting list. Meek
as lamb when he's sober, the
meanest man in town when he's
had a couple of drinks" Mr..
Avery said. The small, gnarled
man swore he is not drinking.
You've got to watch him." Mr..
Avery said later.
There were many others.
There also were stops to in
terview employers who might be
able to give PAROLES a job.
Sure. he was always a good
boy with me-" one produce mar
ket owner said. The boy" is due
for parole in December. Mr..
Avery has been assigned his case
and now must find a job and g.
home for him before he can be
released.
One Gets ScOlding
very's day begins with a
con- Il stream Of visits and
telephone calls in his ONCE be-
fore he heads out on these field
calls.
That morning there was a
scolding for one mana barber
who was late to work the day
before. then left after cutting
only one head Of hair.
There was q promise to an
other that he would recommend
that the parolee and his brother
be allowed TO 90 in business for
themselves. But you'll have TO
cooperate with me-" he eau
toned the man.
For his words Of advice. Mr..
Avery draws on three things
his education. experience in So
cial work. and his own life.