NCJ Number
244902
Date Published
November 2013
Length
44 pages
Annotation
This report details the review process implemented by officials in Jefferson Parish, LA, to determine ways to improve the Parish's probation department.
Abstract
This report, produced by the Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corps, details the review process implemented by officials in Jefferson Parish, LA, to determine ways to improve the Parish's probation department. The review process resulted in a series of recommendations to improve the department. Implementation of the recommendations and corresponding efforts resulted in numerous improvements including improved screening and assessment practices leading to enhanced therapeutic treatment services for youth, and improved assessment and treatment practices leading to noticeable decreases in recidivism rates and fewer youth placed on probation. These changes also included improved assessment and supervision practices leading to reduced probation terms for formal status offenders; improved screening and assessment practices, standardization of pre-dispositional investigation practices, and targeted use of evidence-based therapeutic services leading to increased judicial confidence in reports and recommendations by probation department staff; and the expansion of probation officer skills and responsibilities. This report examines the review process and the findings that resulted from the work, and discusses the recommendations that were made for improving the probation department in Jefferson Parish, LA. References and appendixes