Juvenile delinquents are young individuals at the age of between ten to eighteen years who have been involved in criminal activities that are punishable by law. However, the criminal acts they are engaged in cannot be termed as crimes since they are not adults. Juveniles are not taken to trials, but are instead adjudicated and after that, they receive a disposition followed by a sentence. Juvenile probation refers to releasing a minor offender who has been detained, following a series of good and commendable behavior. After being released by the correctional departments, the offenders are supervised by probation officers who monitor their progress. Juvenile delinquent cases are continually being registered with the high rate of occurrence being attributed to a broad spectrum of factors (Lober, Farrington, Petechuk, 2003). The main role of the parole officer is to help the offender not to repeat the offenses, this is known as recidivism. Prevention of recidivism is the main aim of programs put in place to shape delinquents.
This paper looks at how rehabilitation plays an important part in the probation process.it also scrutinizes the crucial role played by the probation officers in helping the offender transition and re-enter the society. Finally, this paper takes a look at the various challenges that make up part and parcel of the probation process, affecting both the probation officers and the entire society.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation aims at treating the offenders assuming that supervision, technical training, equipping offenders with knowledge in various fields and behavior therapy will play a key role in reducing the frequency at which juveniles commit offenses (Bradshaw and Roseborough,2005). It is an important phase that juveniles undergo in preparation to re-entering the society. Rehabilitation is hands on because some of the skills learned meet the needs of the juveniles on a personal level and give them positive options contrary to recidivate. It offers the option to an individual that gives them a legal way to achieve their goals. Rehabilitation supports the thought of achieving goals and dreams in a legal and acceptable way.