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Chief to Chief: A Guide to Effective Communication

NCJ Number
168871
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 60 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1996) Pages: 55-57
Author(s)
C R Butler Jr
Date Published
1996
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article examines the relations between probation and pretrial services chiefs and the courts they serve.
Abstract
The Federal sentencing guidelines of 1987 took away much of a district judge's discretion regarding sentencing. Unfortunately, some judges blame the probation officer who prepared the sentence report for tying their hands, when the probation officer is also bound by the Federal guideline sentencing range. A successful working relationship between probation and pretrial services chiefs and the court requires communication, which can be encouraged and developed in a number of ways: (1) Judges' personal visits to the offices of probation and pretrial services chiefs' offices; (2) Occasional invitations from the judge to his chiefs to have lunch together, combined with regularly scheduled lunches with all department heads; (3) All judicial officers getting together for informal coffee hours each morning; (4) Open-door policy in the judge's office; (5) Periodic notes to the judge from subordinate chiefs about their activities, or asking for advice or comments on a particular topic; (6) Automation, to keep all personnel informed in a timely manner.

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