NCJ Number
223946
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 47 Issue: 3 Dated: 2008 Pages: 319-337
Date Published
2008
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This article describes the history of the current status of the Federal Probation and Pretrial System’s attempts to become evidence-based, and a model of organizational change for supervision agencies.
Abstract
The development of evidence-based practice in the Federal system uses Roger’s model of diffusion of innovations in a complex environment. The model recognizes that organizational change is difficult, maybe even more difficult than individual change. The model notes that success is best achieved by five features: a relative advantage over current practice, compatibility with the existing missions and goals, addressing the complexity of the change through small incremental steps, trial-ability of each step with openness to chart mid-course corrections to respond to the environment, and observable results. All of these are part of the model that Administrative Office of the United States Courts is using to make advancements in the process of change. Since 2002, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, in conjunction with the Federal Districts around the country, has undergone a series of philosophical, policy, and funding changes that intend to move the system towards an outcome-based focus. This article provides a brief history of this change, the current action plan, and the future strategy that guides the transformation of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and the Federal Probation and Pretrial System. References and appendix