1. Created by Jonathan Lee and Allen Lim
Probation: What Works?
PRESENTATION TITLE
Created by Jonathan Lee and Allen Lim

2. In this Presentation: An Overview of the Current System
2 Different Programs, 2 Success Stories
Recommendations for Probation’s Future

3. Today’s Probation The current probation model 3 types of caseloads:
Regular Caseload
Banked Caseload
Specialized Caseload

4. Probation Officer Opinions
Goal ambiguity
Is there a clear departmental goal?
Lack of funding = increased rates of recidivism

5. 2 Different Approaches; 2 Success Stories
Rehabilitative
Travis County (TX) 10-Step Program
Punitive
Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE)

6. Travis County (TX) 10-Step: A Rehabilitative Process
Program followed 4 core practices:
Effectively assess probationers’ criminogenic risks and strengths
Employ smart and tailored supervision tactics
Use incentives and graduated sanctions, and respond promptly to probationers’ behaviors
Implement performance-driven personnel that reward reduced recidivism

7. Travis County (TX) 10-Step: A Rehabilitative Process
Results:
Reductions in probation revocation hearings saved $400,000 in local jail costs per year ($24 per day, per person)
One year re-arrest rate fell 17%
Re-arrest rates for low-risk offenders fell 77%

8. Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE): The Punitive Approach
Probationers are required to phone in every weekday
Probation violations result in immediate stay in jail
Probation can be modified for probationer to resume normal life

9. Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE):
Results:
Missed appointment rate fell from 13.3% to 2.6%
“Dirty” drug tests fell from 49.3% to 6.5%
Provided a fiscal saving of $6000 per participant, per year
About 80% probationers on HOPE stopped using drugs
Abbreviated probation modification hearings economized court time

10. Different Successful Approaches with Similar Successful Characteristics
Success through use of:
Cognitive-Behavioral Methods (CBM)
Proven Evidence-Based Practices (EBP)
Risk-Needs-Responsivity (RNR)

11. What Other Members of the Criminal Justice Field have Recommended
Reduced Caseload Size
Placeload Probation

12. Is there a Proven Solution?
No. Not one program has been proven to work in every jurisdiction

13. Our Recommendations
Start with a more sociological approach to understanding people within the jurisdiction
Based on findings, determine which enforcement approach (rehabilitative or punitive), and set that as a departmental goal
Train officers to use new methods of interacting with probationers such as Motivational Interviewing (MI)

14. Our Recommendations
Use already successful screening process, such as Static Risk and Offender Needs Guide (STRONG-R), Risk Need Responsivity (RNR), and Strategic Training Initiative in Community Supervision (STICS) for each offender
Enforce and patrol based on results of survey and new departmental standards
Tinker and tailor program to fit needs

15. Conclusion
There is no proven solution to effective probation enforcement
Overall
No one program is applicable for every jurisdiction
The only proven way to reduce recidivism is to tailor programs specifically for a certain population/jurisdiction
The most important thing for probation departments: DETERMINE THE GOAL!!

16. The End
Thank you for your time!

17. Slide Title Picture Credits