Chapter 2 Austria - CEP, the European Organisation for Probation

include a detailed description of services and processes. The Heads of centralservices (social work, personnel etc.) are in charge of updating and describingservices. Quality workshops, which employees of all hierarchical levelsparticipate in, serve the purpose of regular evaluation of processes and work aidsso as to determine potential needs for change and development. Newly hiredemployees are carefully introduced to their jobs. mentor working in the samelocation gives practical guidance for one to two years, and reflection is done withan external expert in three to five weeks of seminars. The central service“Personnel and Personnel Development” prepares the introductory seminars anddraws up an extensive annual continuing-education programme. The averagenumber of days social workers spend at continuing-education events is fiveworking days per year. Development needs of employees are agreed upon in theannual appraisal interviews seniors have with their staff.3.2.3 Other organizations involved in probation workProbation work is only provided by NEUSTART in Austria. Our Agencies cooperateclosely with other social/welfare institutions in the regions and haveentered into co-operation agreements with the Public Employment Service(Arbeitsmarktservice or AMS), the social welfare offices, agencies for thehomeless, work projects, therapy institution etc.4 PROBATION IN DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE CRIMINALPROCESS4.1 GeneralThis chapter describes the legislative basis of probation activities, mediation inpenal matters and intermediary activities for community service. These aresocial-work interventions that make it possible to waive criminal proceedings orthe enforcement of a penalty. Public prosecutors or judges order themexclusively. In the other fields of activity of NEUSTART, i.e. post-releaseaftercare, probation and assisted housing, victim support and prevention, workwith the clients is performed on a voluntary basis without court orders. For mostof these voluntary services, the Probation Services Act contains provisions onlyon organization and financing. All social work services are subject to job profilesand relevant minimum and maximum standards defined for social work in therespective fields.4.1.1 ProbationProbation has the legislative mandate to actively “strive to help the offendertowards a way of life and attitude which will prevent him/her in the future fromcommitting deeds which are subject to sanctions” (Section 52 Par. 1 CC). For thispurpose a court may order probation if it deems it necessary in order to suspendan imposed sanction either completely or in part for the duration of a supervised