NCJ Number
27467
Date Published
1975
Length
65 pages
Annotation
THE CASELOAD MANAGEMENT AND THE ADDITION TO SUPERVISION PROJECTS ARE VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL PROGRAMS AIMED AT DETERMINING OPTIMAL WAYS OF SUPERVISING LARGE CASELOADS OF PROBATIONERS AND PAROLEES.
Abstract
THE FIRST OF THESE PROJECTS PROVIDES FOR THREE DISTRICT OFFICES (SIX PROBATION OFFICERS PER DISTRICT UNIT). THE LATTER PROJECT PROVIDES FOR FOUR SUCH DISTRICT OFFICES AND ALSO INCLUDES PROVISION FOR FOUR HUMAN SERVICE AIDES. THESE UNITS SHARE A COMMITMENT TO A MODEL IN WHICH THE PROBATION OFFICER IS A GENERALIST (IS ABLE TO DO HIS OWN INTAKES AND PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATIONS, IS CAPABLE OF HANDLING BOTH MALE AND FEMALE CASES, AND HAS SOME SPECIAL SKILLS IN DEALING WITH PARTICULAR PROBLEMS (DRUG, SEX, OR PSYCHIATRIC). THE TWO PROJECTS WERE DESIGNED TO TEST THE EFFICACY OF THIS GENERALIST MODEL VISA VIS THE MORE USUAL SPECIALIST MODEL, AND TO ASCERTAIN THE EFFECTS OF CASELOAD INCREASE ON OPERATING PROCEDURES. EVALUATION ACTIVITIES INCLUDED STAFF INTERVIEWS, INTERVIEWS WITH A SAMPLE OF 53 PROBATIONERS, AND ANALYSIS OF PROGRAM RECORDS, PROGRAM IMPACT WAS MEASURED BY UNIT RECIDIVISM (ARREST RATES PER UNIT). THE GENERALIST MODEL WAS FOUND TO BE BOTH SUCCESSFUL AND COST-EFFECTIVE. THE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO ABSORB MODERATE INCREASES IN CASELOAD (MAINLY BY REDUCING THE VOLUME OF AVERAGE CLIENT CONTACT) AND THERE WAS AN INDICATION THAT ADHERENCE TO PROGRAM GOALS MAY BE RELATED TO RE-ARREST RATES. PROJECT CONTINUATION WAS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. THE APPENDIX TO THIS REPORT CONTAINS TABLES OF PROGRAM DATA, COPIES OF DATA COLLECTION FORMS, AND PROGRAM EVALUATION PROPOSALS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)