John Augustus
John Augustus (1785 – June 21, 1859) was a Boston boot maker who is called the "Father of Probation" in the United States because of his pioneering efforts to campaign for more lenient sentences for convicted criminals based on their backgrounds.
Contents
Life
Augustus was born in Burlington, Massachusetts. Only one manuscript is attributed to him: The Report of the Labors of John Augustus. The court allowed Augustus to take more and more offenders into his custody. Of course he didn't try to take all the cases, he would select prospective probationers based on age, character and the people places and things apt to influence them to make his decision. His practice assumed that most offenders are not dangerous and will respond well to treatment. In 1843 Augustus turned his attention toward helping children. He took three children into his care, all accused of stealing. The children included two girls ages eight and ten, and an eleven-year-old boy. Three years later this number had grown to thirty children ranging nine to sixteen years old. The process was such that the children's cases were continued for period of several months as a term of probation. At the calling of the docket each month, Augustus would appear to make his report and the cases would pass on for 5–6 months. Then, at the end of the term he would appear with some of the children, and as with his first success their appearance had drastically improved from the time of their arraignment. With this and the paying of a ten cent fine per person, the judge would declare that the object of the law was accomplished, thanks to Augustus' plan to save and reform.[citation needed]
Augustus' success rate could rival and possibly surpass the success rate of any rehabilitation program available today. His work brought him the devotion and aid of many Boston philanthropists and organizations. Augustus' success started him on an 18 year run as the first probation officer ever. At his death, it was noted that of the 2,000 people he helped only four proved unworthy (for which he forfeited bail).[1]
See also
References
- ↑ John Augustus, Father of Probation, and the Anonymous Letter - Federal Probation, A Journal of Correctional Philosophy and Practice - Vol. 70 Number 1]
External links
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