Proposed Cuts for Probation

There is no question whatsoever that your editorial is absolutely correct. Having been the psychiatric consultant to L.A. County Juvenile Hall, to the Criminal Division of the Superior Court, and to the State of California Parole Clinic as well as to the L.A. County Probation Department over many past and present years, it is essential that the special supervision of narcotics offenders and child molesters be maintained or preferably increased under the proposed county budget.

Today, a very significant percentage of the public in general is strongly in favor of incarcerating each and every offender ad infinitium. I believe such action is unwise and uncalled for since no two human beings are identical. Each offender should be carefully evaluated and appraised before any final decision is made. Nonviolent individuals who are arrested need probationary supervision and an appropriate placement and function in the community.

Even violent offenders require a similar evaluation by the Probation Department since the episode for which they were arrested may represent a completely isolated incident precipitated by overwhelming stress in an individual with a past history of excellent adjustment work-wise and family-wise and no prior arrests. Properly trained and carefully selected probation and parole officers can also deal with repetitive criminals released into our society.

ALFRED COODLEY,

M.D., Ph.D.

Los Angeles