Augustus, John

(1785–1859) pioneer probation officer, philanthropist; born in Boston, Mass. Little is known of his background or early years but by 1841 he was a shoemaker, albeit one who employed several assistants. Attending the Boston Police Court that year, he witnessed a case involving a common drunkard; at Augustus's request, the man's sentence was deferred for three weeks and he was released to Augustus's supervision; at the end of the probationary period the man was able to convince the judge of his reformation and received a nominal fine. After this incident Augustus appeared almost daily in various Boston courts, acting as counsel for prisoners, furnishing bail, and sometimes finding homes for juvenile defenders; his unorthodox approach often brought him into conflict with court officials. He continued to work at his shoemaking business until 1846 when he seems to have acquired enough money to support himself. Between 1842–58, using his own money and some modest contributions from others, he posted bail for 1,946 people. He is regarded as "the father of probation" in the U.S.A.

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References in periodicals archive

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NOVEMBER ALMANAC

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travel

Probation has a long history, dating back to mid-19th century when John Augustus was allowed to work in the community with convicted offenders instead of in jails.

Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice uses probation services to reduce reincarceration of juvenile offenders

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Shipping

Probation in England and Wales, and the United States (hereafter, US) share similar origins: they both owe their early existence to two philanthropists (John Augustus and Matthew Davenport Hill) in the mid-nineteenth century and both stem from similar forms of judicial reprieve.

The Brian Williams Memorial Prize 2009--winning paper: the social construction of probation in England and Wales, and the United States: implications for the transferability of probation practice

Roebling (1837-1926) wrote a memoir of his father John Augustus (1806-69).

Washington Roebling's father; a memoir of John A. Roebling

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It turns out that the similarly massive and amazing font was given to the new church by the Revd John Augustus Yatman, the squire of nearby Winscombe, who was one of Burges's important patrons.

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Court In Brief

The practice of probation dates to 1841 in this country, when a Boston cobbler named John Augustus persuaded the court to release a drunkard into his custody instead of sending him to prison, Rockstroh said.

Settlemyer could see the big picture, colleagues recall