An Experimental Demonstration of Training Probation Officers in Evidence-Based Community Supervision

Abstract

The present study evaluated a training program for probation officers based on the risk-need-responsivity (RNR) model of offender rehabilitation. A total of 80 officers were randomly assigned to either training or a no training condition. The probation officers then recruited 143 probationers and audiotaped their sessions at the beginning of supervision, 3 months later, and 6 months later. The audiotapes were coded with respect to the officers’ adherence to the RNR model. The experimental probation officers demonstrated significantly better adherence to the RNR principles, with more frequent use of cognitive-behavioral techniques to address the procriminal attitudes of their clients. Finally, the analysis of recidivism rates favored the clients of the trained officers. The findings suggest that training in the evidence-based principles of the RNR model can have an important impact on the behavior of probation officers and their clients.

Making “What Works” Work: Examining Probation Officers’ Experiences Addressing the Criminogenic Needs of Juvenile Offenders

“…The strategic training initiative in community supervision model (STICS; Bonta et al, 2011) specifically aims to address the need for prioritization and strategic case management that was also raised by respondents who were challenged by clients with multiple moderate-to high-risk need areas. The STICS action plan not only recognizes the interrelationship between needs but also the hierarchy of needs.…”

“…In a recent randomized control study, Bonta and colleagues (2011) demonstrated that training probation officers to be more focused on criminogenic needs (procriminal attitudes in particular) was effective in reducing the likelihood of reoffending. Clients supervised by officers who received such training and support had a two year recidivism rate of 25.3% while clients supervised by the control group officers had a recidivism rate of 41.5% (Bonta et al, 2011). To that end, there have been calls within the RNR field for a change in the role of probation officers from that of "case managers/resource brokers" (i.e., making referrals based on assessment) to "change agents" (Bourgon, Gutierrez, & Ashton, 2011).…”

Do Intervention Plans Meet Criteria for Effective Practice to Reduce Recidivism? How Probation Officers Forget about Social Capital and Basic Needs

“…It seems, however, that the probation officers' match between the assessed risks and needs and the intervention plans must be improved. Providing training and/or coaching to probation officers may help improve this match, and this strategy has been effective in Canadian practice (Bonta et al 2011). In health care, introducing a (computerized) decision-based support system has improved practitioners' performance (Garg et al 2005).…”

Seven Ways to Make Prisons Work

“…Rather than assume that these appointments are too brief to matter, research now indicates that offi cers can use these interactions to be change agents and reduce recidivism (Kennealy et al 2012 ;Manchak et al 2014 ;Raynor et al 2014 ;Raynor and Vanstone 2015 ). In fact, programs have been developed that have successfully trained supervising offi cers to use offi ce visits for therapeutic purposes (Andrews and Bonta 2010 ;Bonta et al 2011 ;Lowenkamp et al 2014 ;Robinson et al 2012 ;Smith et al 2012 ).…”