Selection of candidates for adult probation in Saskatchewan by the use of a biographical questionaire and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

Abstract

Over the past two years, the author has worked as Adult Probation Officer for the Police Magistrate's Court in the city of Saskatoon, Canada. This was the first position held after graduation from University. Together with the difficulties to be found in taking on any new position, it soon became apparent that much specialized information was needed to carry on this job effectively.

In particular, the preparation of pre-sentence reports posed a real problem. For a new probation officer, straight from university, it was all but impossible to make really helpful assessments. No standards had been set for use in this particular field and all assessments were based on a social history. The purpose of this study was to find a method of pre-sentence investigation which would help in two ways. The first would be to standardize some of the investigative procedures, and the second would be to outline important areas in the pre-sentence investigation, so as to help in the orientation of the new probation officer to the job.