The impact of a brief RNR‐based training on Turkish juvenile probation officers' punitive and rehabilitative attitudes and recidivism risk perceptions

Abstract

The present quasi‐experimental study examined the impact of a brief training program based on the risk–need–responsivity (RNR) model on Turkish juvenile probation officers' (JPOs) punitive and rehabilitative attitudes toward justice‐involved youth and recidivism risk perceptions. Fifty‐nine JPOs were recruited through three probation offices in Istanbul, Turkey. Thirty‐six JPOs, who received a 1‐day training in the RNR model of offending behavior, were compared to JPOs in a wait‐list control condition (n = 23). Participants in both conditions completed surveys at baseline and 1‐week posttraining. Mixed‐factorial analysis of variances revealed a significantly higher decrease in JPOs' punitive attitudes from pre‐ to posttest, in the training condition compared to the control group, with a medium effect size. Rehabilitative attitudes decreased in both conditions, while recidivism risk perceptions did not change from pre‐ to posttest in either condition. Future research could expand on these promising results using a more intensive training program and a randomized‐controlled design in a larger sample of JPOs.

The professional experiences and training needs of probation officers in Turkey

“…Indeed, we believe that identifying the aim of the system as "rehabilitation" or "law enforcement" by policy makers is a crucial step to give way to other changes. Without this clarity, even the trainings to enhance rehabilitative attitudes of POs fail because of the incompatibility between the aim of these efforts and the expectations of the system (Tuncer, Erdem, & de Ruiter, 2018). It may also be the reason for the hierarchical nature of the probation system because the lack of clarity of expectations impedes POs' attempts to take the initiative and increase the likelihood of relying on their supervisors' decisions about their cases.…”

The link between attitudes toward probationers and job burnout in Turkish probation officers

“…Depersonalization in itself may be viewed as a strategy to cope with the emotional burden of the work and thereby exacerbate negative attitudes toward probationers. Prior research has shown that Turkish POs, despite many complaints, feel hopeless about changing the probation system and report a lack of access to resources (Aslanyürek Zorlu, 2014 ; Erdem et al, 2019 ; Tuncer et al, 2020 ). That is, officers have little input into decision‐making and lack opportunities for training and supervision, factors that are significantly associated with depersonalization (Rhineberger‐Dunn & Mack, 2020 ).…”

“…Previous research has shown positive associations between probationer success and improved interpersonal relationships between POs and probationers (e.g., collaborative communication; Kleinpeter et al, 2011 ; positive alliance; Clark et al, 2006 ). Future research could examine whether interventions that improve the quality of relationships between POs and probationers translate to more favorable attitudes toward probationers and decreased levels of job burnout (Gayman et al, 2018 ; Tuncer et al, 2020 ).…”

“…The Turkish probation system was established in 2005 (Yavuz, 2012 ) in response to the accelerating incarceration rates across the country. The novelty of the probation system, the ongoing ambiguity of role definitions as well as procedures (Aslanyürek Zorlu, 2014 ), the centrality of the system with direct control by the Ministry of Justice and the Turkish state (Kavur, 2020 ), and the lack of resources for rehabilitation services (Erdem et al, 2019 ; Tuncer et al, 2020 ) make the Turkish case a unique context to explore burnout and attitudes toward probationers.…”

“…Insight into these characteristics could be relevant for PO recruitment and may have implications for burnout prevention at the individual level. This insight could be especially relevant in a more recently established probation system, such as the one in Turkey because there is not yet a strong rehabilitative tradition in the probation service (Tuncer et al, 2020 ). The present study examines the association of individual factors with job burnout in Turkish POs.…”