Views of Community Corrections Supervision and Their Predictors: An Officer and Offender Comparison

Appropriate supervision strategies are the backbone of community corrections. The success of community supervision is dependent upon the attitudes of both officers and offenders. Despite this, research on offenders’ attitudes toward community corrections supervision is surprisingly very limited. The current study investigated attitudes of officers and offenders toward and predictors of four different community supervision strategies based on data collected in Hubei, China, in 2103 and 2016. The study found that among demographics, community variables, and value factor, the mutual trust value factor was the most important predictor of community supervision strategies by both officers and offenders. Additional findings and policy implications are discussed.

Implementing Reforms in Community Corrections: Lessons Learned During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This mixed-method study examined changes implemented in Pennsylvania community corrections agencies during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. We surveyed ( N = 54; 83% response rate) and interviewed ( N = 10) county Chiefs of probation and parole regarding changes to agency policies, processes of this change, and expected sustainability. Findings revealed meaningful changes to community corrections policy initiated by the pandemic through new modes of supervision contact —such as “ curbside probation”— and new policies regarding violations of supervision that align with evidence-based principles. The moment’s urgency provided a rare but effective impetus for reform, but perceptions of sustainability varied across Chiefs’ role orientations. Our findings demonstrate how this moment expanded the footprint of evidence-based practice through local criminal justice reform and reveal new insights into capacities for and processes of change.

Barriers and enablers to health and social services for older prisoners transitioning to community

Purpose When properly designed and implemented, prison-to-community transition programs targeting older prisoners could potentially save resources, reduce reoffending rates and contribute to improved public protection and safety. However, older prisoners transitioning to community are often neglected and overlooked, and thus, interventions targeted to address their needs are limited. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers and enablers to health and social services for older prisoners transitioning to community. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative study was conducted using focus group discussions with corrections officers, community corrections officers and parole officers (n = 32) in four correctional centres, two community corrections offices (CCOs) and one parole unit in New South Wales (NSW) in 2019. The authors used thematic analysis to analyse the findings. Findings The study identified three main themes relating to barriers and enablers: organisational, social and economic and individual and family and seven sub-themes: planning the transition, communication, assisting prisoners, transition programs, officers’ knowledge and scope of work, social and economic issues and offenders’ conditions Research limitations/implications The processes required to ensure effective prison-to-community transition of older prisoners are not well-developed suggesting the need for more systemic and organised mechanisms. Implications of the barriers and enablers for policy, research and practice are discussed. Originality/value This study identified a composite of barriers and enablers to health and social services for older prisoners in NSW prisons and CCOs.

Challenges to Employing Shared Decision Making With Adults Under Community Supervision Who Have a Mental Illness

Adults under community corrections supervision and who have a mental illness (MI) are expected to comply with conditions of release which often include involvement with supportive social services. The rates of technical violation, arrest, and incarceration that result from failure to comply with these mandates are exceedingly high. Shared decision making among officer-supervisors and client-supervisees is a promising approach to promote engagement in community corrections services among supervisees who have MI. This paper reviews recent research on shared decision making and identifies three barriers to its implementation in this context: (1) a lack of role clarity, (2) a predilection for risk avoidance, and (3) stigma toward supervisees. Empirically supported recommendations are suggested to aid in overcoming these obstacles, facilitate shared decision making, and promote recovery among this population: (1) unification of supervisor rehabilitative and public safety roles, (2) maximizing opportunities for self-determination through low-stakes events and/or enhancement of supervisee strengths and capabilities, and (3) supervisor training in principles of mental health recovery.

COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS IN THE LIST OF THE MAIN CORRECTIONAL MEANS FOR CONVICTS: SOME ASPECTS

В статье рассматривается ряд теоретических проблем общественного воздействия как средства исправления осужденных (его содержание, субъекты осуществления, соотношение с другими средствами исправления и пр.) и недостатков правовой основы данного института. Приводятся практические примеры осуществления общественного воздействия в отношении осужденных к лишению свободы. Делается вывод, что общественное воздействие при ненадлежащем законодательном регулировании представляет собой важнейшее средство исправления осужденных (наряду с режимом), которое с учетом разносторонности субъектов его осуществления имеет многообразное содержание и фактически отчасти дублирует другие средства исправления. The article examines a number of theoretical problems of community corrections as a means of correcting convicts (its content, subjects of implementation, correlation with other means of correction, etc.) and the shortcomings of the legal basis of this institution. Practical examples of the community corrections implementation in relation to persons sentenced to imprisonment are given. It is concluded that community corrections with improper legislative regulation is the most important means of correcting convicts (along with the regime), which, taking into account the versatility of the subjects of its implementation, has a diverse content and in fact partially duplicates other means of correction.

‘Guys, get your guns out!’ – An autobiographical account of a US community corrections training academy

This article addresses community corrections training from the perspective of a former practitioner. Though CC training has received modest consideration, academies’ roles in reinforcing occupational cultures are nearly absent from the literature. This article addresses this gap with an autobiographical account of an academy experience and shows that not only did the profession appear to attract candidates with public safety orientations, but also that the academy reinforced those orientations through a disproportionate focus on use of force and officer safety. The article considers challenges policymakers and managers face when attempting to implement reform in public safety cultures.