Legally Prescribed Functions
of Adult and Juvenile Probation Officers:
Worlds Apart?
BENJAMIN STEINER
University of Cincinnati
MARCUS PURKISS
Boise State University
MISTY KIFER
Boise State University
ELIZABETH ROBERTS
Boise State University
CRAIG HEMMENS
Boise State University
ABSTRACT Historically, there have been two competing goals of proba-
tion: law enforcement and rehabilitation of the offender. Accordingly, the
role, functions, and tasks of probation officers are at times in conflict. In
this paper we explore the roles of adult and juvenile probation officers and
compare their statutorily prescribed duties. In so doing we attempt to un-
cover what differences exist between adult and juvenile probation officers.
We conclude that there are no appreciable differences between the orienta-
tion (either law enforcement or rehabilitation) of the tasks adult and juve-
nile probation officers are mandated to perform. Moreover, the task
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, Vol. 39 (4), 2004. Pp. 47-67.
http://www.haworthpress.com/web/JOR
© 2004 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
Digital Object Identifier: 10.1300/J076v39n04_04