Citation

Lindner C, Koehler RJ. J. Crim. Justice 1992; 20(1): 53-62.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0047-2352(92)90034-7

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Field visitation has long been a basic part of the probation supervision process. In recent years, however, probation officers have become increasingly reluctant to make field visits, primarily because of personal safety fears. Many believe that visitation is more dangerous than ever before, and they attribute this to a more difficult probationer population, the drug epidemic, and increased violence in their fieldwork environments. The emergence of field safety as an issue in probation is exemplified by the development of safety training programs, recent publications in professional journals and the popular media, and several studies of officer safety. Several probation agencies have changed their fieldwork policies to enhance officer safety. Many are supplying or encouraging the use of defensive weapons when in the field. This article reviews the changes that have led to the emergence of the staff safety issue and assesses the impact of this issue on probation field practices. Finally, it discusses the policy changes that are likely to occur, should the staff safety issue intensify.