The Differential Impacts of Probation Staff Attitudes on Use of Evidence-Based Practices

• NCJ Number: 254084
• Journal: Psychology, Public Policy, and Law Volume: 24 Issue: 4 Dated: 2018 Pages: 449-458
• Date Published: 2018
• Author(s): Jill Viglione; Brandy L. Blasko
• Length: 10 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2014-IJ-CX-2004
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

This study used hierarchical linear modeling to examine the predictors of attitudes toward and the use of evidence-based supervision practices among probation staff, as well as the impact of organizational predictors on willingness to use evidence-based practices in their supervision of the probationers on their caseloads.

Abstract

The evidence-based policy movement has become an important feature of community corrections systems. As part of this movement, community corrections agencies emphasize the use of standardized assessments to inform case planning with probationers. Despite evidence supporting the use of these practices, research documents many challenges with implementation of these best practices in routine probation work; however, little attention has been paid to the impact of staff attitudes toward use of evidence-based practices on correctional reform. The current study's analyses indicate that when individual probation staff had positive perceptions regarding their agency, they held more positive attitudes toward evidence-based assessment practices and reported using case planning practices more frequently. Implications surrounding organizational change and evidence-based practice implementation efforts are discussed. (publisher abstract modified)