OFFENDER REENTRY: A PUBLIC SAFETY STRATEGY Court Support Services Division

Probation Areas of Focus: Manageable Caseloads Programs and Treatment Warrant Service OFFENDER REENTRY: IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY

Strategies, programs and treatment that focus on preparing probationers to lead non-criminal lives in our local communities. OFFENDER “REENTRY”

There are approximately 57,000 offenders serving a term of probation. There are approximately 11,500 split sentence cases currently under probation supervision. In 2006, 5,400 offenders were placed on probation immediately following a period of incarceration. REENTRY THROUGH PROBATION SUPERVISION

Research continues to demonstrate the importance of continuing supervision and treatment after an offender leaves prison in reducing recidivism (Simpson, et. al., 1999). REENTRY SERVICES EFFECTIVENESS

Source: Central Connecticut State University (2006) RESEARCH FINDINGS: CT PROBATION TRANSITION PROGRAM (PTP) SOURCE: CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY 2006

Source: Central Connecticut State University (2006) RESEARCH FINDINGS: CT PROBATION TRANSITION PROGRAM (PTP) SOURCE: CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY 2006

MANAGEABLE CASELOADS

Manageable caseloads when coupled with quality client engagement and evidence-based treatment have been correlated with reductions in recidivism (Taxman, 2006). COMMUNITY SUPERVISION

Who the probationer is What we are asking our officers to do with the probationer What we hope to accomplish Manageable caseloads are determined by: WHAT IS A MANAGEABLE CASELOAD?

Monitoring compliance with supervision conditions vs. Monitoring compliance AND facilitating behavior change THE CHANGING FOCUS OF PROBATION SUPERVISION

Assess risk, needs and strengths. Evaluate and enhance motivation to change. Target interventions. Facilitate pro-social behavior. Assess probationer improvement and behavior change. COMPONENTS OF EVIDENCE-BASED SUPERVISION

“It’s not just about condition compliance, but addressing all client needs and issues. It takes much more time and energy.” “The goal is not only seeing clients, the goal is to change their circumstances that contribute to their criminal behavior.” CONNECTICUT PROBATION OFFICER FOCUS GROUP

CASE CLASSIFICATIONSTANDARD Intensive25-35 Sex Offender45 High65 Medium175 AdministrativeN/A Warrant400 Average # cases per officer104 PRESENT CASELOAD STANDARDS

Caseloads reaching these levels make it extremely difficult to work individually with probationers to change behavior. CURRENT CASELOAD STANDARDS: THE PROBLEM

Total Supervision Officers = 272 Number Exceeding Standard = 194 Percent Exceeding Standard = 71% NON-INTENSIVE OFFICERS EXCEEDING CURRENT CASELOAD STANDARDS

PROPOSED CASELOAD STANDARDS Case Classification Long- Term Short- Term Intensive 25 Sex Offender 25 High 4555 Medium AdministrativeN/A Warrant200 Total Officers Needed Total Officer Shortage Average # Cases Per Officer6070

Lower recidivism Reduced violations Decreased victimization Reduced incarceration CASELOAD REDUCTION OUTCOMES

Manageable caseloads when coupled with quality client engagement and evidence-based treatment have been correlated with reductions in recidivism (Taxman, 2006). EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY SUPERVISION

OFFENDER TREATMENT AND PROGRAMS

For nearly 20 years sound research on the effects of correctional treatment programs have consistently demonstrated positive effects on reduction of re-offending (Lipsey, etal, 1998). TREATMENT EFFECTIVENESS

The US Surgeon General, after an extensive survey of existing research concluded that well run correctional interventions and services for violent offenders are effective (US Surgeon General, 2001). PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS

“Washington’s adult corrections system will be more successful in reducing recidivism rates if policy focuses on proven evidence-based approaches” (Washington State Institute for Public Policy, 2006). Some Examples (% Reduction in Recidivism)  Intensive Supervision and Treatment (21.9%)  Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (8.2%-31.2%)  Drug Treatment in the Community (12.4%) SPECIFIC PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS

“The results show that offenders who have high attendance at treatment sessions have lower arrests.” (Bogue, 2007). CONNECTICUT EVALUATION

A significant network of programs exists, with challenges:  Geographical area service gaps  Wait lists for services 508 clients on residential treatment wait list ( ) Significant increase in Behavioral Health Services Referrals over the past 2 years JUDICIAL BRANCH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

 Transitional and Supportive Housing  Mental Health Services  Intensive Outpatient Drug Treatment  Domestic Violence Programs  Sex Offender Services In total the program expansion recommendations could serve up to 3,000 offenders annually. PROGRAM AND TREATMENT NEEDS

WARRANT SERVICE

Sanctions for probation violations are more likely to be effective when they are prompt, consistent, and proportionate to the violation severity (Carey, 2005).  Graduated Sanctions  Violation of Probation Warrants PROBATION SANCTIONS

Warrants served annually = 8,977 Present un-served warrants = 6,228  70 percent of these warrants are more than one year old  Extensive field investigation required for many warrants VIOLATION OF PROBATION WARRANT SERVICE DATA

Undermines system integrity Offenders are not being supervised Re-offending behavior may continue UNSERVED WARRANTS: POTENTIAL IMPACT

 Establish and staff Regional Probation Warrant Units.  Legislative initiatives  Detention of wanted persons  On-site arrest for violation of probation  Partnerships with federal and state agencies WARRANT SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS

Reduce probation caseloads Increase targeted treatment and specialized services Improve warrant service A PUBLIC SAFETY STRATEGY

COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF THE THREE-PRONGED APPROACH TO PUBLIC SAFETY Increased Satisfactory Completion of Probation Supervision Reduction in Probation Violation Reduction in Recidivism Reduction in Prison and Jail Overcrowding Cost Effectiveness