Balancing Field Supervision and Paper Work for Parole Agents Effectiveness
Introduction
The purpose of this research is find out whether effective field supervision of parolees is hindered by documentation of agents activities and what was done on the parolees, including parolees relapses or rearrested. Related questions on the search would include: Does paperwork decrease the efficiency of parole agents? Is field supervision of parolees enhanced by less paperwork? Implied in the questions include the assumption that field supervision of parolees make them comply with their conditions of parole.
The preponderance of studies and writings on this topic is weighed heavily on the side of field supervision and what programs that work and less on what effect paper work has on the effectiveness of parole agents.
Models of Reentry Services
Several models of reentry services have been tried to stem the tide of recidivism and help parolees reintegrate into their community. Bouffard, Bergseth and Ford (2003) reporting on the Minnesota Clay County reentry services program have outlined four models of these reentry services and the role of parole agents in their implementation. These include Serious and Violent Offender Initiative (SVORI), Intensive Aftercare Program (IAP), Juvenile Mentoring Program (JUMP) and Aftercare for Indians (Indians (AIM) For each of these programs, a three phase design is implemented: Planning and services begin at the facility, followed by assistance during release and assessment of individual needs of offenders, integration of treatment programs with supervision by parole agents. Aos, S., Miller, M. & Drake, E. (2006) in their study compared 9 treatment models and their effectiveness .In their tabulation of results, Intensive supervision (treatment-oriented programs were found more effective than other models. This Intensive supervision treatment program topped with a score of 21.9%, followed by Drug Treatment in Community with a score of 12.4%. What works is considered in terms of recidivism rate or relapse in drug offenses.
Clay County Study reported by Bouffard, Bergseth and Ford (2003) concluded that reentry programs work when combined with services and supervision by parole agents and transitional coordinators. Minnesota provided transitional coordinators who bridged the gap in services to parolees between parole agents and parolees. The article cited the study described of 63 youths who served in the program and were compared with 49 parolees who did not serve in the reentry service program (RSP) Transitional coordinators are like parole services associates introduced by Southern California Regional Department of Juvenile Justice.
Like Finn and Kuck (2005) observed, one thing is common to these programs with regard to parole agents and probation officers :officers: ‘high caseload, excess paperwork and deadline’ are factors that combine to ‘make it difficult for many officers to find the time to properly supervise their caseloads.’ (P3). Bouffard et al (2006) noted the ‘high caseload numbers, distance from clay county and other job duties and responsibilities.’ (P2)
It has long been assumed that supervision of parolees would deter them for sliding back to a life of crime. However, Stanley (1976) contends that a parolee determined to make it does not need surveillance while one who is not will con his parole agent.
Role of Parole Agents
Parole agents do the work of supervising parolees. Agents visit them at home or community of release, and evaluate the environment to make sure it is safe for them to stay in, call them for drug test, get them to attend programs aimed at helping them secure a job like parole to Payroll, search their homes for weapons or drugs among others. O*NET Online is an internet based service outlet that specifies skills needed for a job or task and has listed more skills and duties that parole agents perform. It ranges from preparing and maintaining a folder for each parolee, writing reports on offenders progress, informing inmates of conditions of release, discussing with offenders issues like drugs and alcohol and how it had affected their behavior, providing offenders with assistance in matters of sentencing, jurisdictions, writs and applications for social assistance to arranging for post release services.
Bloede (2009) affirms that ‘increased supervision, mentoring, counseling and education all under one roof’ will help prepare parolees for life outside detention. St. Gerard (2009) illustrates the importance of having a dedicated intensive supervision officer (ISO) make a decided impact on parolees.
O’Deane (2010) affirms that coordination among various law enforcement agencies help to curb crime, especially when parolees and other law enforcement agents are made to know the conditions of parole for those involved. Besides, maintaining good working relations and rapport with parolees is the answer to keeping them out of trouble. Schultz, Walgrave, McNeil and Dilorio (2009) reports another dimension or rather an extension of parole agents. In this report and case study medical students do their service work mentoring inmates at a detention center, helping such inmates acquire their GED while in detention as a preparation for release.
Field Supervision and Paperwork
Travis, Crayton, and Mukamal (2009) points out the increase of parolees under supervision rose from 60% in the 1970s to 80% currently. Besides the nature of supervision has shifted from service inclined to surveillance oriented with a 700% increase between 1980 and 2000. These people removed from their homes and put in prisons follow the iron law of imprisonment which states that those who go to prison eventually come back, the report stated, and face the hurdle of reintegration back to society.
Supervision has added technology to extend and support the work of parole agents. This is the GPS monitoring system, used especially on sex offenders who need to be confined to certain areas. Turner, S., Jannetta, J. Hess, J., Myers, R. Shah, R., Werth, R., and Whitby, A., (2007) did a survey for San Diego County in California on the outcome of GPS monitoring for high-risk sex offenders. This study quotes findings by Padgett, K., Bales, W. and Blomberg, T. (2006), which showed that offenders placed on home detention in Florida, reduced the probability of technical violations, reoffending and absconding from supervision. Turner et al (2007) pilot survey also confirms the same: that absconding were rare when High –Risk Sex Offenders (HRSO) and Global Positioning system (GPS) monitored offenders were compared. The study also showed that the GPS system had little effect on recidivism. In addition this study also pointed out the problems parole agents had with the GPS.
Conclusion
In spite of the overwhelming number of caseloads for parole agents and the avalanche of prisoners being released into the system, the Minnesota example and case study as well as the California example of Continuum of Care and with the support of parole agents by parole services associates, it is possible to stem the tide of recidivism and help parole agents be more effective in their work as ‘agents of change’ in the lives of parolees. Clay County experiment and study in Minnesota has shown the possibility of helping parolees reintegrate into the society with the Intensive supervision model
References
Aftercare for Indiana through Mentoring (2004) Indiana’s juvenile
reentry program: Aftercare for Indiana through mentoring, annual
report, Retrieved 06/09/2010, from http://aim.spea.iupui.edu/
reentry/latest-research.htm
Allen, H.E. Latessa, E. J. Ponder, B. S. & Simonsen, C. E. (2007). Corrections in America: An introduction (11th e.d.) N .J. Prentice Hall
Altschuler, D. & Armstrong, T. (1994). Intensive aftercare for high-
risk juveniles: A community care model. Washington, D.C.: U.S.
Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Aos,S. Miller, M & Drake, E (2006) Evidence-based adult corrections programs: What works and does not work, Olympia, Washington State Institute for Public Policy, www.wsipp.wa.gov/rptfiles/06-01-1201.pdf
Blanchette, K. and Taylor, K. N. (2009). Reintegration of female offenders: perspectives on ‘what works’ Corrections Today. Retrieved DATE, from
https://www.aca.org/fileupload/177/ahaidar/Blanchette_Taylor.pdf
Bloede, C (2009) Merging juvenile justice and sustainability in California Retrieved June 8, 2010,
https://www.aca.org/fileupload/177/ahaidar/Bloede1.pdf
Bouffard,J. Bergseth, K. & Ford, S (2006) A Minnesota County mentors juveniles and provides reentry services https://www.aca.org/fileupload/177/ahaidar/Bouffard.pdf
Bouffard, J. and Bergseth. K. (2008) The impact of reentry services
on juvenile offenders’ recidivism, Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice
6(3): 295-318. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database
Bouffard, J., Bergseth, K., & Ford, S. (2009), A Minnesota County mentors juveniles and provides reentry services, Corrections Today, 71(6), 54-57. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
Gottfredson, M., Mitchell-Herzfeld, S., & Flanagan, T. (1982)., Another look at the effectiveness of parole supervision Journal of Research in Crime & Delinquency, 19(2), 277-298. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
Hanrahan, K., Gibbs, J., & Zimmerman, S. (2005). Parole and revocation: perspectives of young adult offenders Prison Journal, 85(3), 251-269. Doi: 10.1177/0032885505279467.
Jalbert, S., Rhodes, W., Flygare, C., & Kane, M. (2010). Testing probation outcomes in an evidence-based practice setting: Reduced caseload size and intensive supervision effectiveness. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 49(4), 233-253. doi:10.1080/1050967100371598
Kleiman, M., & Hawken, A. (2008). Fixing the parole system, Issues in Science & Technology, 24(4), 45-52. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
Paparozzi, M. & Gendreau, P. (2005). An intensive supervision program that worked: Service delivery, professional orientation, and organizational supportiveness Prison Journal, 85(4), 445-466. Doi:10.1177/0032885505281529.
Nakaya, A. C. (ed. )(2005) Juvenile crime: opposing viewpoints, Farming Hills MI Thomson Press
Novotney, L.C., E. Mertinko, J. Lange and Baker, T. K. (2000): Juvenile-
mentoring program: A progress review. Washington, D.C.: U.S.
Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Nussbaum, A. (1974) A second chance: amnesty for the first offender, New York, Hawthorne Books
O’Deane, M (2010) Alternatives to incarceration: coordinating efforts between police, probation officers and parole agents Retrieved June 15, 2010, from http://www.lawofficer.com/news-and-articles/articles/online/2010/alternatives-incaceration
Schram, P., Koons, Witt, B., Williams III, F., & McShane, M. (2006). Supervision strategies and approaches for female parolees: Examining the link between unmet needs and parolee outcome. Crime & Delinquency, 52(3), 450-471. Doi: 10.1177/0011128705281845.
Schultz. K. Walgrave, J. McNeil, J. Dilorio, J. (2000 Service Learning
Stanley, D. T. (1976) Prisoners among us: the problem of parole, Washington DC: The Brookings Institution
St. Gerard, V (2009) Timothy Adams: Service to youths brings extraordinary results
https://www.aca.org/fileupload/177/ahaidar/BIB_Adams1.pdf retrieved 06/08/2010
Swaton, J. N. & Morgan, L. (1984) Administration of justice: An introduction, Belmont CA Wadsworth
Travis, J. Crayton, A. & Mukamal, D. A. (2009) A new era in inmate reentry. Retrieved DATE from
https://www.aca.org/fileupload/177/ahaidar/Travis_Crayton_Mukamal.pdf
Winterfield, L. and S. Brumbaugh. (2005). Characteristics of prisoner
reentry: Programs for juveniles. Washington, D.C.: Urban Institute.
Zhang, S., Roberts, R. , & Callanan, V. (2006). Preventing parolees from returning to prison through community-based reintegration. Crime & Delinquency, 52(4), 551-571. Doi:10.1177/0011128705282594.
Zhang, S., Roberts, R., & Callanan, V. (2006). The cost benefits of providing community-based correctional services: An evaluation of a statewide parole program in California. Journal of Criminal Justice, 34(4), 341-350. Doi:10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2006.05.001.
No comments:
Post a Comment