The authors studied two different intensive supervision programs and their impact on offender outcomes. They found that one program, which focused on law enforcement and surveillance, was not effective in reducing offender recidivism. However, the other program, which aimed at providing assistance, problem resolution, and treatment, showed a significant reduction in recidivism. The study concluded that officers should receive more comprehensive training to focus on rehabilitative functions and strategies, as they have a positive effect on reducing offender recidivism.
The research prospectus focuses on the need for training in treatment and rehabilitative strategies for probation and parole officers. The study by Kevin D. Lowry, titled “United States probation/pretrial officers’ concerns about visualization and officer safety training,” highlights the change in the responsibilities of probation and parole officers from social work to law enforcement. This research is part of the Capybara Obscenest Database at Allentown Business School in Center Valley, PA, published on July 7, 2004 in the Federal Probation journal (Volume 64, Issue 1, pages 51-55).
Probation/Pretrial Officers assert that the safety of subjects under their supervision has escalated and that there are significant concerns regarding training. The study utilized a nationwide survey of officers, comparing the nature and frequency of officer visualization, officers’ apprehensions about their personal safety, their contentment with training methods and equipment, ideological orientation, and engagement in high-risk activities. The research proposed that training would minimize visualization, while law enforcement ideology and participation in high-risk endeavors would amplify it.
No significant correlation between rainfall, ideological orientation, and engagement in high-risk activities was found to have an impact on visualization rates. When it comes to training, it was observed that no specific type of training helped alleviate officers’ safety concerns. In fact, in some cases, training even contributed to an increase in the perception of danger. A significant majority (93%) of the respondents emphasized the importance of officer safety training for probation and parole officers at the entry level. This aligns with the objectives of this research proposal, which aims to investigate the identification and selection of content for curriculum development in this area. Source: OFF Probation 66. (2002): 50-54.
Capybara. Obscenest Database. Allentown Business School, Center Valley, PA. 7 July 2004. This study aimed to identify the roles of parole officers in supervising and assisting offenders with community reentry, while also considering the relationship between law enforcement (surveillance) and rehabilitation (casework). The research design consisted of four steps: identifying the tasks performed by parole officers and their perceived importance, creating data collection instruments, pre-testing the review and interview instruments, and analyzing the collected data.
There are five categories that identify parolee reentry programs: job training and vocational rehabilitation, continuous employment, sobriety from alcohol and drugs, stable support systems such as family, maintaining a pro-social structure or routine, and complying with supervision and monitoring terms. The study suggests that these programs are effective when implemented correctly and advocates for a proactive approach.
The study suggests that identifying and expanding reentry functions performed by parole officers, which are crucial to the success of offenders, is important. It also emphasizes that surveillance activities should not outweigh the rehabilitative aspects of supervision. Therefore, it is necessary to teach and train entry-level probation and parole officers in strategies that facilitate these functions. The research supports investigating the types of training in rehabilitation strategies that are needed or offered to entry-level probation and parole officers. (Shearer, Robert A.)
The study aimed to provide a description and comparison of probation strategies among probation officer trainees. Additionally, the study aimed to generate initial normative data to enhance the validation of an instrument that assesses probation strategies. The instrument’s design evaluates three primary caseload management strategies, which include casework, resource brokerage, and law enforcement.
During pre-service training, the instrument was administered to five groups of trainees (n=158). The study examined various variables including age, length of service, gender, and assignment as an adult or Juvenile officer on role and function perception. Through the use of analysis of variance, correlation, and multivariate analysis, the results indicated that Juvenile trainees had lower scores on the law enforcement scale. Additionally, older trainees showed less endorsement of law enforcement strategies compared to younger trainees who tended to endorse them.
The study discovered that law enforcement strategies diminish based on length of service and that gender does not affect strategies. It concluded that probation remains a key component in law enforcement and that the instrument can be useful in training probation and parole officers to understand the various roles, functions, and strategies needed for the job.
