Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Factors Associated with the One-year Probation Outcome: A Self-report Study in Hong Kong

  • Published:
Asian Journal of Criminology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Why are some probationers able to comply with the sentence? Why do some fail to do so? In order to answer these questions, the article examines cross-sectional data collected from a selected group of Chinese offenders who were put on a one-year probation sentence in Hong Kong. It, in particular, aims at identifying the relative effects of four types of predictors, namely demographic, socio-economic, criminal history and probation intervention, on the probation outcome. For the purpose of this study, the probation outcome is the self-report data of the probationer at the end of the sentence. Logistic regression analyses revealed that self-reported reoffending was significantly related to peer involvement in criminal activities and triad association, a previous probation sentence, a urine test requirement and the offenders’ positive view of probation officers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. The success rate is considered to be the percentage of cases for which the probation orders have been satisfactorily completed within the probation period without a breach of the conditions of the order or committing any fresh offence.

  2. These three characteristics consistently appear to be significant variables associated with probation outcomes in the literature (Lloyd et al., 1994).

References

  • Allen, H., Carlson, E., & Parks, E. (1979). Critical issues in adult probation. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, D. A., & Bonta, J. (2003). The psychology of criminal conduct (3rd ed.). Cincinnati, OH: Anderson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, T. (1998). Drugs and crime: The results of research on drug testing and interviewing arrestees (Home Office Research Study No. 183). London: Home Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biestek, F. P. (1961). The casework relationship. London: Allen and Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boudouris, J. (1984). Recidivism as a process. Journal of Offender Counseling, Services and Rehabilitation, 8(3), 41–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brody, S. R. (1976). The effectiveness of sentencing: A review of literature (Home Office Research Study No. 35). London: Home Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnett, R. (Ed.) (1997). The probation service: Responding to change (Probation Studies Unit Report No. 3). Oxford: Centre for Criminological Research, University of Oxford.

  • Cheung, C. L. (1988). A critical analysis of probation service in Hong Kong (Unpublished masters dissertation). Hong Kong: Department of Sociology, University of Hong Kong.

  • Chui, W. H. (1999). Residential treatment programs for young offenders in Hong Kong: A report. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 43(3), 308–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chui, W. H. (2002). The social work model of probation supervision for offenders in Hong Kong. Probation Journal, 49(4), 297–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chui, W. H. (2003). Experiences of probation supervision in Hong Kong: Listening to the young adult probationers. Journal of Criminal Justice, 31(6), 567–577.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chui, W. H. (2004). Adult offenders on probation in Hong Kong: An exploratory study. British Journal of Social Work, 34(3), 443–454.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chui, W. H., & Nellis, M. (Eds.) (2003). Moving probation forward: Evidence, arguments and practice. Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education.

  • Clarke, A. (1999). Evaluation research: An introduction to principles, methods and practice. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clear, T., & Rumgay, J. (1992). Divided by a common language: British and American probation culture. Federal Probation, 56(3), 3–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, C., & Moynihan, J. (1996). Understanding crime data: Haunted by the dark figure. Buckingham: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cramer, D. (1994). Introducing statistics for social research: Step-by-step calculations and computer techniques using SPSS. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Day, P. R. (1981). Social work and social control. London: Tavistock.

    Google Scholar 

  • Director of Social Welfare (1984–1997, various issues) Departmental Report. Hong Kong: Government Printer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Director of Social Welfare (2005). Services for Offenders. Hong Kong: Social Welfare Department. Available at: http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_offdr/sub_introducti/index.html [last accessed 4 December 2006].

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowden, C., & Andrews, D. A. (2000). Effective correctional treatment and violent re-offending: A meta-analysis. Canadian Journal of Criminology, 42(4), 449–467.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrall, S. (2002). Rethinking what works with offenders: Probation, social context and desistance from crime. Cullompton, Devon: Willan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Folkard, S., Smith, D. E., & Smith, D. D. (1976). IMPACT volume 2: The results of the experiment (Home Office Research Study No. 36). London: Home Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fujiwara, T. (1999). Preface. In United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI) (Ed.) Adult probation profiles of Asia (pp. i–ii). Tokyo: UNAFEI.

  • Gendreau, P., Little, T., & Goggin, C. (1996). A meta-analysis of the predictors of adult offender recidivism. Criminology, 34(4), 575–607.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graham, J., & Bowling, B. (1995). Young people and crime (Home Office Research Study No. 145). London: Home Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamai, K., Ville, R., Harris, R., Hough, M., & Zvekic, U. (Eds.) (1995). Probation round the world: A comparative study. London: Routledge.

  • Hough, M. (1995). Variations in probation function. In K. Hamai, R. Ville, R. Harris, M. Hough & U. Zvekic (Eds.), Probation round the world: A comparative study (pp. 161–173). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hough, M. (1996). Drug misuse and the criminal justice system: A review of literature (Drugs Prevention Initiative Paper No. 15). London: Home Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, R., Beadle, P., & Maitland, J. (1993). Across the divide: Building community partnerships to tackle drug misuse. London: Department of Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klaus, J. F. (1998). Handbook on probation services: Guidelines for probation practitioners and managers. Rome / London: United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute and Commonwealth Secretariat.

  • Latessa, E. J., & Allen, H .E. (1997). Corrections in the community. Cincinnati, OH: Anderson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, S. M. (1973). The probation service in Hong Kong. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 17(1), 90–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leibrich, J. (1993). Straight to the point: Angels on giving up crime. Otago: University of Otago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipsey, M. W. (1995). What do we learn from 400 studies on the effectiveness of treatment with juvenile delinquents? In J. McGuire (Ed.), What Works: Reducing Re-offending: Guidelines from Research and Practice (pp. 63–78). Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd, C., Mair, G., & Hough, M. (1994). Explaining reconviction rates: A critical analysis (Home Office Research Study No. 136). London: Home Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mair, G. (Ed.) (1997). Evaluating the effectiveness of community penalties. Avebury: Aldershot.

  • Mair, G. (Ed.) (2004). What matters in probation. Cullompton, Devon: Willan.

  • Mak, W. H. (1973). Reminiscence of the early probation work in Hong Kong. In Social Welfare Department (Ed.), Open day special issue (pp. 7–9). Hong Kong: Probation and Corrections Division, Social Welfare Department.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maltz, M. D. (1984). Recidivism. Orlando, FL: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martinson, R., Lipton, D., & Wilks, J. (1975). The effectiveness of correctional treatment: A survey of treatment evaluation studies. New York: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • May, T. (1994). Probation and community sanctions. In M. Maguire, R. Morgan, & R. Reiner (Eds.), The oxford handbook of criminology (pp. 861–887). Oxford: Clarendon.

    Google Scholar 

  • May, T. & Vass, A. A. (Eds.) (1996). Working with offenders: Issues, contexts and outcomes. London: Sage.

  • McGuire, J. (Ed.) (2002). Offender rehabilitation and treatment: Effective programmes and policies to reduce re-offending. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.

  • Minor, K. I., Wells, J. B., & Sims, C. (2003). Recidivism among federal probationers—Predicting sentence violations. Federal Probation, 67(1), 31–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, K. D. (1994). Factors associated with probation outcome. Journal of Criminal Justice, 22(4), 341–353.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Brian, C. (1994). The Social Welfare Department. In M. Gaylord & H. Traver (Eds.), Introduction to the Hong Kong criminal justice system (pp. 161–172). Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oldfield, M. (1996). The Kent reconviction survey: A 5 year survey of reconvictions amongst offenders made subject to probation orders in 1991. Maidstone: Modern Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, E. J. (2003). Offending behaviour: Moral reasoning, criminal conduct and the rehabilitation of offenders. Cullompton, Devon: Willan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raynor, P. (1985). Social work, justice and control. Oxford: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raynor, P., Smith, D., & Vanstone, M. (1994). Effective probation practice. London: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rees, M. (1999). Relational justice and probation practice. Justice of the Peace and Local Government Law, 163(23), 444–446.

    Google Scholar 

  • Research and Statistics Section (1979). Sample study of the recidivism rate of probationers and licensees, 1975–1976. Hong Kong: Social Welfare Department.

    Google Scholar 

  • Research and Statistics Section (1983). Recidivism study of probationers and licensees, 1980–81. Hong Kong: Social Welfare Department.

    Google Scholar 

  • Research and Statistics Section (1988). Recidivism study of probationers and licensees, 1985–86. Hong Kong: Social Welfare Department.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rex, S. (1999). Desistance from offending: Experiences of probation. Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, 38(4), 366–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rose, D. & Sullivan, O. (1996). Introducing data analysis for social scientists (2nd ed.). Buckingham: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rumgay, J., & Brewster, M. (1996). Restructuring probation in England and Wales: Lessons from an American experience. The Prison Journal, 76(3), 331–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sims, B., & Jones, M. (1997). Predicting success or failure on probation: Factors associated with felony probation outcomes. Crime and Delinquency, 43(3), 314–327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Social Welfare Department (1973). A survey of ex-probationers in Hong Kong to evaluate their success rates one year after satisfactory completion of their terms of probation. Hong Kong: Social Welfare Department.

    Google Scholar 

  • South, N. (1997). Drugs: use, crime and control. In M. Maguire, R. Morgan, & R. Reiner (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Criminology (2nd ed.) (pp.925–960). Oxford: Clarendon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trotter, C. (2006). Working with involuntary clients: A guide to practice (2nd ed.). Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations (1954). Practical results and financial aspects of adult probation in selected countries. New York: United Nations.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willis, A. (1983). The balance between care and control in probation: A research note. British Journal of Social Work, 13(3), 339–346.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zender, L. (1997). Consumerism and community. In R. Burnett (Ed.), The probation service: Responding to change (Probation Studies Unit Report No. 3) (pp. 84–87). Oxford: Centre for Criminological Research, University of Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Science, The University of Queensland, Queensland, 4072, Australia

    Wing Hong Chui

Authors
  1. Wing Hong Chui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wing Hong Chui.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chui, W.H. Factors Associated with the One-year Probation Outcome: A Self-report Study in Hong Kong. Asian Criminology 1, 155–171 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11417-006-9012-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11417-006-9012-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation