Chris Trotter

The Impact of Different Supervision Practices in Community Corrections: Cause for Optimism

Can community corrections programs or probation reduce the incidence of recidivism among offenders under supervision? This question continues to be controversial. Some of the more recent research indicates, however, that recidivism is likely to be reduced by as much as fifty percent if certain supervision practices are adopted. This research has found, among other things, that supervision characterised by a pro-social approach, the use of problem solving and the use of empathy, is related to lower recidivism. This study looks at these factors in community based corrections in Victoria. It finds that where supervisors make use of these supervision principles, client recidivism rates, as measured by breach rates and re-offending rates one year and four years after the start of supervision, are twenty five to fifty percent lower. The study also finds that the pro-social approach seems to have more impact than the use of problem solving or empathy.

Pro-Social Modelling:

Pro-social modelling is increasingly becoming recognised as a key skill in the supervision of offenders. This paper defines pro-social modelling discusses the research support for its use and describes the way it can be implemented in a criminal justice setting It goes on to discuss the relevance of worker empathy and the perceived legitimacy of the worker. The strengths and weaknesses of pro-social modelling are identified and some of the criticisms of the model are discussed. Finally the extent to which pro-social modelling can be taught is considered.

‘Probation Can Work’ A Research Study Using Volunteers

This article is concerned with the capacity of probation supervision to reduce the likelihood of offending among probationers. An increasing number of studies have indicated that probation supervision can be effective, however, that effectiveness is dependent on the particular program and the characteristics or approach of the supervisor. Some studies in the United States and Canada suggest that a supervisor who is ‘pro-social’ and who presents a pro-social role model will be more effective than a supervisor with a more delinquent or anti-social orientation. This article reports on a study of Victorian volunteer (unpaid) probation officers and their clients. Like the overseas studies, it finds, that pro-social officers are more effective.

Women, resettlement and desistance

With the numbers of women imprisoned increasing across Western jurisdictions over the last 15 or so years, so too have the numbers of women returning to the community following a period in custody. Despite increasing policy attention in the UK and elsewhere to prisoner resettlement, women’s experiences on release from prison have received limited empirical and policy attention. Drawing upon interviews with women leaving prison in Victoria, Australia, this article discusses the resettlement challenges faced by the women and highlights their similarity to the experiences of women leaving prison in other jurisdictions. Women had mixed (and predominantly negative) experiences and views of accessing services and supports following release, though experiences of parole supervision by community corrections officers were often positive, especially if women felt valued and supported by workers who demonstrated genuine concern. Analysis of factors associated with further offending and with desistance, points to the critical role of flexible, tailored and women-centred post-release support building, and, where possible, upon relationships established with women while they are still in prison.

A Comparison of On-Campus and Off-Campus (or Distance) Social Work Education

Abstract This study explored the differences between on- and off-campus social work education focusing on student demographics, academic achievements, and student satisfaction. The study focused on a cohort of recent graduates from Monash University Bachelor of Social Work course. The study is quantitative with a small amount of qualitative data used to illustrate some of the quantitative findings. Data were collected using a telephone questionnaire/survey and student records. The data were analysed using the statistical computer package, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. The study found differences in the demographics of on- and off-campus recent graduates but minimal differences in terms of general satisfaction and grades. However, while off-campus recent graduates were generally satisfied with their course, they tended to be less satisfied with their off-campus mode of study. It seems that they often studied off-campus because it was the only, or the most convenient, choice open to them. It is concluded that off-campus social work education meets the needs of a particular group of students and as such is an important option for social work education.

Older prisoners: Challenges for inmates and prison management

There is considerable evidence pointing towards the growth of older prisoner populations in Australia. This article presents findings from the first large-scale study of older prisoners in Australia (N = 173), examining functional independence, aspects of the prison environment which present difficulties for less able older prisoners, the uptake of prison programs and social functioning from the perspective of older prisoners. Results indicate that 22% of prisoners aged 50 years and older required assistance in day-to-day tasks, and that bunks, stairs and bathroom facilities presented the greatest difficulties for older inmates. The majority of older prisoners (77%) engaged in prison work and approximately one half of those nearing release had attended offending behaviour programs. Prisoners aged 65 years and older were more likely to describe social disconnection, were more likely to be experiencing functional impairments and victimisation in prison, and those experiencing functional impairment were more likely to report feeling unsafe in prison compared to prisoners aged 50 to 64 years. Implications for corrections planning and prison management are discussed.

An analysis of supervision skills in youth probation

This article examines the content of supervision sessions between probation officers and their clients and the extent to which supervisors make use of effective practice skills. It summarises the literature which suggests that when probation officers use particular skills, those under their supervision are likely to have lower recidivism rates than the clients of probation officers who do not use these skills. It discusses the few studies which have directly considered the extent to which probation officers make use of effective practice skills. It then outlines a research project which involved personal observation of 119 interviews between youth probation officers and their clients in Juvenile Justice in NSW with a view to identifying the content of interviews and the extent to which probation officers used effective practice skills. The findings suggest that probation officers are strong on relationship and pro-social modelling skills but make less use of role clarification, problem solving and cognitive behavioural skills. The implications of this are discussed.

The Effectiveness of Support and Rehabilitation Services for Women Offenders

Abstract There is a large body of research evidence suggesting that support, rehabilitation, and supervision programs can help offenders to reduce recidivism. However, the effectiveness of these services is dependent upon the extent to which the workers who deliver them comply with “what works” principles and practices. Because most of this research has been conducted with men, this study focused on the extent to which these principles and practices apply to women. In particular, the study examined services offered to a group of women in prison in Victoria, Australia, and following their release to the community; and the relationship between these womens views about the services, recidivism, and the characteristics of the services. Results were generally consistent with earlier research. The women favoured services that are delivered by workers who are reliable, holistic, collaborative, who understand the womens perspective, and that focus on strengths. They did not support services that challenged the women, focused on their offences, or on the things they did badly.

Effective Supervision of Young Offenders

A lot has been written about what works in interventions with offenders (e.g. Andrews and Bonta 2008; McIvor and Raynor 2008; McNeill et al. 2010). In recent years there have also been a small number of studies focusing on what works in the routine supervision of offenders on probation. This is the focus of this chapter, which draws on the findings of a study that was conducted in New South Wales, Australia. The terminology for ‘probation’ and who delivers probation supervision varies. The term probation is used in this article to refer to community-based supervision whether it relates to probation orders, parole orders, supervised bonds or other legal community-based orders which involve supervision. Similarly, the term ‘probation officer’ is used to refer to probation officers, community corrections officers, parole officers, juvenile justice workers or counsellors, or others who supervise offenders in the community under court orders.

Involuntary Clients, Pro-social Modelling and Ethics

Workers with involuntary clients influence the behaviour of their clients. One of the methods by which workers influence their clients relates to the way they model, encourage or reinforce their comments and behaviours. Practitioners may be aware or unaware of this process and of the extent to which it can impact on clients. This paper describes the process of modelling and reinforcement and discusses some of the ethical issues it raises. It suggests some guidelines by which the process may be undertaken in an ethical manner and recommends the use of the ethics of care and concept of human dignity as additional theoretical resources to assist in working with this client group.