Challenges in Social Services Within Criminal and Juvenile Justice
Social services may be difficult and stressful in criminal and juvenile justice domains. The inclusion of experts from the behavioral sciences in the criminal justice system raised hopes for successful rehabilitation. Nevertheless, the rehabilitative concept has yet to be proven very effective. Social workers frequently feel disoriented and ineffective since the needs of the accused and the guilty are given the least attention (Fink, 2011).
Opportunities for Innovation
The difficulty arises from social workers having a lot of room to innovate and try new treatments at every level of the court system, from arrest to release. Most systems consider that the public has a mandate focusing on security; thus, the police, prosecutors, judges, prisons, and guards receive most of the resources. Making the most of a few resources is the goal.
The Collaboration of Social Workers with Correctional Officials
Skilled social workers might communicate with the administration and correctional officials to increase their sensitivity to the people under their care. The social worker may create aids across the institution by including the guards in the project (Fink, 2011). They could impart listening skills and warning signs to the guards. These guards may then inform the social worker of urgent situations or needs. A social worker who interacts with security personnel may learn about the issues that guards encounter from their brief time working as guards and gain credibility in the process.
The Role of Social Workers in Client Development
There are few possibilities for clients involved in the legal system as clients to develop their inner directions. The social worker cannot help but have a significant role in what happens to the people they serve. To overcome the hurdle, the worker has difficulty fostering mutual respect and trust. It needs a great deal of closeness since the client’s belief in the counselor’s objectivity and fairness is the only remaining foundation. Then and only then can a non-manipulative connection be built that can potentially lead to therapy advancement (Fink, 2011).
Importance of Measurable Results
The new “management by objective” discipline is precious in every endeavor. Anybody in a profession or business wants to see measured achievement reinforced in tangible ways. In criminal and juvenile justice, measurable results are essential since they are the only way to show that attempts at rehabilitation were successful. To ascertain whether the objectives established by the social workers are being reached, it is crucial to have a system of assessment in place.
Reference
Fink, A. E. (2011). Services in criminal and juvenile justice. In The Field of Social Work.