The Value of Reporting for Juvenile Probationers
| Published date | 01 July 1949 |
| Date | 01 July 1949 |
| DOI | 10.1177/026455054900502207 |
| Author | Madeline F. Loring |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
oughly harmful to the homosexual, and his inclusion in a
says, both a greater appreciation of its use on the part of
prison containing long-term prisoners cannot be wel-
the courts, and increased research into the discovery of
comed.10
the potential sex offender while still a child or adolescent,
There are a number of other important issues which
are seriously needed. To this end, the probation officer,
~the B.M.A.’s report has raised and over which useful sug-
both by virtue of his training and of his experience, has
gestions have been made. Among these are the codifica-
an important contribution to make.
tion of certain offences to clarify the powers of the
J. C. SPENCER.
magistrates’ courts.
The Committee points out the
BIBLIOGRAPHY
serious harm that is done very often to children who are
(1) Criminal Law and Sexual Offenders.
London.
B.M.A.
victims of a sexual assault and who are called to give
price 3d.
evidence in courts of Assize or Quarter Sessions. They
(2) Scottish Home Dept.
Psycho-therapeutic tieatment of
make the very valuable suggestion that &dquo; it should be a
certain offenders. H.M.S.O. 1948. 4d.
duty incumbent
(3) Edward Glover.
Social and
on someone who will necessarily know the
Legal Aspects of Sexual
Abnormality. I.S.T.D. 1947. 1./-.
case (whether it be the court, the police, or some other
(4) Journal of Criminal Science vol. 1.
Art. by Sir Norwood
body) to notify the Local authority that the child may
East on Sexual Crime.
ba in need of special care.... &dquo;11
(5) Crime and Psychology. Claud Mullins.
(6) H. Mannheim. Criminal Justice and Social Reconstruction.
Finally, they suggest that courts should, before sen-
tence is passed, &dquo; be placed under an obligation to seek
1 see Glover (3) pp. 1-2, and Mannheim (6) ch. 4, p. 65.
the advice of
2 see (1)
a duly qualified medical practitioner.&dquo;
One
para. 14.
3 see (2) sects. 14 and 25.
must suggest, however, that the number of doctors well
4 see (1) para. 23.
qualified to provide a report on such a difficult subject is
5 Carefully described by Norwood East (4) pp. 58-80.
severely limited, and this may be one of the reasons why
6 Report of the Frison Commission 1942-44, gives some of the
criteria considered desirable in the offender who is suitable
courts very often do not seek medical advice, or, having
for treatment, para. 201.
sought it, are rather dubious about the advice which is
7 see Glover (3) p. 12.
given.
8 see (1) para. 57.
There is
9
no reason why we should not be optimistic over
see Mannheim (6) p. 68.
10 see also an article by Dr. Taylor in Brit. Med. Journal,
the results to be expected from the psychological treat-
October 4, 1947, and (1) para. 18.
ment of the sex offender. As the B.M.A.’s report so wisely
11 see (1) para. 46, and 49.
THE VALUE OF REPORTING FOR JUVENILE
PROBATIONERS
(MADELINE F. LORING, Juvenile Court Probation Officer, 1937-1942)
To my mind there are four main purposes attached to
officers at a certain time and place, and, on the whole, I
this part of probation work which are of such importance
think it is true to say that these instructions are obeyed.
that I have never been in doubt as to the theoretical
The first two purposes of reporting, namely, action and
value of reporting, but have too often felt thwarted by
habit, are thus fulfilled. But when one comes to the last
numerous obstacles when trying to put these theories into
two purposes, one wonders uneasily whether mutual trust
practice.
and confidence are being adequately strengthened by
First it provides for definite action on the part of the
regular contact. All too often the offices to which these
probationer, which is essential when dealing with young,
young people report are situated away from the hub of
poorly educated people, in that they are...
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