Previous researchers have examined the role of probation officers and have found rehabilitation to be the primary function. While assessing probation officer roles researchers have examined the preferred and actual roles, while neglecting the legally prescribed roles set forth in state legal codes. To fill this void in the research, we examined 1992 legal codes for all fifty states to locate the prescribed legislative roles as defined by state legislatures for probation officers. Our findings indicate that enforcement oriented tasks (not rehabilitative tasks) were most frequently prescribed. Suggestions for additional research on probation officer roles are made.
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