How Redefining Probation and Parole Officers Roles Might Save Community Supervision

Go Back

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

---

Probation and parole have recently come under attack. Measured by reductions in recidivism, there have been multiple studies showing that community supervision alone does not reduce recidivism, and in some cases, creates higher incarceration rates due to elevated technical revocation rates. To combat this, agencies have been adopting strategies designed to reduce recidivism (referred to generally as evidence-based practices). Ranging from risk assessment to core correctional practices, agencies have had a wide range of effectiveness in implementing these strategies. This presentation explores how the professional and agency narrative (self-identity) can impact the uptake of evidence-based practices. Training participants will be challenged to examine the role that community corrections has played in changing behavior, discuss why the current infrastructure of community corrections may be a barrier to implementing change, and learn ways in which agencies and staff can implement evidence-based practices in the context of a coach.