Alaska Offender Profile: Adult Probation/Parole, 2002–2012

This fact sheet presents data on characteristics of offenders under the supervision of the Alaska Department of Corrections, Division of Probation and Parole (DOC-PP) for the period 2002–2012, and briefly describes how probation and parole operate in Alaska. Data were extracted from the annual Offender Profile publication of the Alaska Department of Corrections. Data presented include total numbers of adult probationers and parolees, rates of adult probation/parole supervision, percentage breakdowns of the probation/parole population by sex and race, and distribution of probation/parole cases among the three largest DOC-PP offices. There has been a notable increase in the total number of persons subject to probation/parole supervision in Alaska over the 11-year period, but this increase has not outpaced the state’s population growth.Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of JusticeOffenders on Probation/Parole / Probation/Parole Supervision Rates / Offender Race / Probation/Parole Caseloads / Summar

The changing role of probation hostels: voices from the inside

Probation Approved Premises (hereafter referred to by their earlier and informal moniker; hostels) are a small, but vital part of the wider work of the probation service in which high risk offenders are provided semi-secure accommodation either on release from prison (as part of release license conditions) or on bail. Currently 100 hostels cater for a wide range of offenders including both male and female offenders, sexual, drug and violent offenders (HMI Probation et al. 2008). This paper explores what people either working or residing in a probation hostel understand the purpose of work in hostels to be

Reorganizing Corrections: Revisiting the Recommendations of the National Advisory Commission

In 1973 the National Advisory Commission on Standards and Goals recommended that correctional services be consolidated under a single state agency, arguing that cost efficiencies, improved communication, and greater employee professionalism would result. The National Advisory Commission advocated state rather than local control of probation, and executive rather than judicial branch control of probation services. It encouraged development of regional rather than local jails and recommended that states assume the operation and control of all local detention and correctional functions. This paper examines some of the arguments for consolidation of correctional services and attempts to determine the kinds of reorganization that have occurred since 1973.BACKGROUND / Reorganizing Institutional Corrections / Reorganizing Probation / Reorganizing Parole / REORGANIZATION OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES / Institutional Reorganization / Reorganization of Probation / Reorganization of Parole / THE FUTURE OF CORRECTIONAL REORGANIZATION / Juvenile Corrections / Adult Probation / Local Facilities / REFERENCE

Probation training: the experience of teachers and learners

Original article can be found at: http://www.informaworld.com/ Copyright Informa / Taylor and Francis GroupQualifying training in probation is under review and likely to be substantially changed. This article draws on a small scale study of current training arrangements designed to explore the views of trainee probation officers, practice development assessors and university tutors regarding which elements of the current Diploma in Probation Studies framework most support learning. Their comments focus on the organisational ownership of training, time and learning, the teacher-learner relationship, teaching methods and equality of access. It is argued that probation training is best supported by a series of linked qualifications across grades, integrating practice-based and academic learning delivered through a 'blended learning' model.Peer reviewe

Effective Approaches With Young Adults: A Guide for Probation Services

The aim of this guide is to give probation practitioners, whether in the National Probation Service or Community Rehabilitation Companies, the tools to deliver a more effective approach to young adults. It provides practical suggestions for effective ways to engage young adults and support their desistance from crime. It also includes suggestions for managers on what they can do to enable practitioners to improve outcomes within probation services

On Probation. An Experimental Analysis

Does probation pay a double dividend? Society saves the cost of incarceration, and convicts preserve their liberty. But does probation also reduce the risk of recidivism? In a meta-study we show that the field evidence is inconclusive. Moreover it struggles with an identification problem: those put on probation are less likely to recidivate in the first place. We therefore complement the field evidence by a lab experiment that isolates the definitional feature of probation: the first sanction is conditional on being sanctioned again during the probation period. We find that probationers contribute less to a joint project; punishment cost is higher; efficiency is lower; inequity is higher. While experimental subjects are on probation, they increase their contributions to a joint project. However, once the probation period expires, they reduce their contributions. While in the aggregate these two effects almost cancel out, critically those not punished themselves do trust the institution less if punishment does not become effective immediately.probation, recidivism, public goods, punishment, experimental economics

Institutional thoughtlessness and the needs of older probation clients.

This article explores the increase in the number of older people on probation caseloads, ‘Older’ clients are defined as those aged 50 and over, in line with the use of this definition by Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). Drawing upon a Freedom of Information request submitted to the Ministry of Justice, the research shows increases in the age of probation clients across community orders, suspended sentences, and a particular increase in the proportion of clients being supervised on licence. Furthermore, increases in the number of older clients accommodated in Approved Premises means that one in five residents are aged over 50. Despite this increase, there is a dearth of research relating to the needs of older people on probation caseloads, and how well probation services and staff are equipped to meet their needs. Consequently, this article draws upon research outlining how the needs of older people in prison are identified, met, and draws some inferences to the probation experience. This prompts the question of whether probation is ‘institutionally thoughtless’ a term coined relating to the daily experiences of older prisoners. Such thoughtlessness includes a lack of appreciation of the physical environment, alongside a regime tailored towards the needs of younger prisoners, e.g. education, work and programmes. The article also draws on research from qualitative interviews with older prisoners who are in prison for the first time. The interviews highlighted their ambivalence towards completing accredited programmes which may also be applicable to probation settings. The article concludes that action to tackle potential discrimination is required through a commitment to justice, self-awareness and knowledge via pragmatic action at policy and practice level

Priorities and Public Safety II: Adopting Effective Probation Practices

Outlines the structural problems of Massachusetts' corrections, the role of probation in public safety, best practices in community supervision in other states, and the elements of an evidence-based probation system, including inter-agency collaboration

Delivering Better Housing and Employment Outcomes for Offenders on Probation

The report ‘Delivering better housing and employment outcomes for offenders on probation’ presents the findings of qualitative research which included fieldwork in six probation areas with professionals involved in the delivery of housing, employment, training and education

Rehabilitation, punishment and profit: The dismantling of public-sector probation

Probation has been nurtured and developed for over a century as the key cornerstone of our community justice system in England and Wales. However, a fundamental transformation in the way in which offenders are managed in the community is underway. After 106 years of rehabilitative intervention, the Probation Service is about to be dismantled - at least, in its traditional public sector incarnation. On 9 May 2013, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling formally confirmed the Conservative-Liberal Democratic coalition government's plans to privatise the majority of probation work by 2015. While few would argue with the principle of supporting rehabilitation, there was controversy over both how this could be achieved and which agencies might deliver it. The privatisation of probation was viewed as a key component of the government’s “rehabilitation revolution”