The social worker and the probation officer : a comparative analysis

Abstract

This dissertation consists of a comparative study between the national and international roles of the probation officer and the social worker in the criminal justice system. The research, which is limited to a few of the developed countries, that is, America, Britain, Scotland and Sweden, consists of an extensive literature review together with a questionnaire conducted locally with various professionals who work in this area. The hypothesis is whether the work done by social workers and probation officers in the criminal justice field is similar. The chapters include a description of the roles of the probation officers and the social workers working in the criminal justice system in these countries. Hence, the study commences with a discussion regarding the training of both professions together with a short description of their respective courses and qualifications. The work of both probation and social work services in the criminal justice field takes place at the various frontiers of the services' responsibility, which are: the courts, the prisons and the community. Thus, the next chapters include discussions and comparisons of the role of the probation officer and the social worker in these environments. The last chapter contains conclusions regarding my research hypothesis as well as practical recommendations for improving the local situation.