The heydays for the Independent Probation Officer in England and Wales. 1950's - 1970's

By reference to his early working life as a probation officer in England the author argues that the timespan covered was a period when those in that role were essentially operating as independent professionals. He uses examples from his early experience to explain the ethos, training and practice of probation officers of the day. The work is intended to provide a snapshot of the work of a probation officer in what he calls those heydays. Whilst it may be of interest to those seeking to research or understand the role of the probation officer in that period it is written to be of interest to the general reader Geoff was a probation officer for 34 years. Subsequently he worked for 12 years as an advocacy coach and part time university lecturer and for 9 years was a hospital manager hearing appeals by people detained under the Mental Health Act.