NCJ Number
105076
Date Published
1985
Length
21 pages
Annotation
Social and philosophical changes have somewhat altered the approaches needed by probation and parole systems in the 1980's and have made clear the need for offender classification systems that enable staff to be effective in their emerging roles as brokers of selected services matched to individual offender needs.
Abstract
Treatment and concern for the offender are still an important foundation of probation and parole, although protection of the community is the main goal. However, the medical model that was long used has been discarded. Today offenders are regarded as responsible for their actions rather than sick, and probation and parole services are viewed as ways to prepare offenders for their responsibilities and to teach them to learn new strategies for handling their life roles. Probation and parole officers thus perform the role of brokers of community resources, based on offender assessments. This new role requires different types of assessment and classification methods than before. However, scientifically validated assessment procedures do not yet exist. Many jurisdictions have adopted the Wisconsin Case Classification System. The system uses instruments for assessing risks and identifying needs for each offender. The results of these assessments are used to place each offender in one of three supervision categories: maximum, medium, and minimum. Each case is reassessed periodically. A Client Management Classification interview is used to determine the appropriate supervision strategy. Staff are assigned workloads based on the time needed to supervise each case. A Management Information System monitors policies and procedures and compiles information about clients. Other agencies should use this or other systems to enhance the effectiveness of both agencies and individual staff. Note, assessment instruments, and 49 references.