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EIGHTH ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCE OF PROBATION OFFICERS, ALBANY, NOVEMBER 14-16, 1915.

REPORT

To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of New York: The State Probation Commission respectfully submits the following report for the year 1915:

DEFINITION OF PROBATION

Probation is a method by which the community, through its - courts, seeks to supervise, discipline, and reform offenders without imprisoning them. It is used especially for young or first offenders and others not hardened in vice or crime.

Persons found guilty whether children or adults - after an investigation (usually by the probation officer) are conditionally given their liberty, under suspension of sentence and on their good behavior, and are placed under the authoritative, helpful, oversight of a man or woman appointed by the court as a probation officer. Those on probation must observe certain conditions, as, for instance, to report regularly to the probation officer (usually once a week), to abstain from evil associates and habits, to work regularly, to pay certain amounts weekly to the probation officer, for family support, fines or restitution, or such other conditions as the court may impose. In case of failure to observe such conditions, those on probation may be returned to court and otherwise dealt with. The probation officer keeps informed as to their conduct by home visits and in other ways, and by friendly and helpful means aids them in every way possible to improve their habits and circumstances.

HISTORY OF PROBATION

The appointment of probation officers was first authorized by law in Massachusetts in 1878. In New York, as in other States, the use of some form of probation for offenders released under suspension of sentence developed without statutory authorization in certain courts. The first general probation law in this State was enacted in 1901. It allowed the appointment of probation officers without compensation and was limited to cities and applicable only to persons over sixteen years of age. The same year a special

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