1. Probation System Reform Symposium: Advancing Practice, Changing Lives
April 7 - 8, 2016
Boston, MA

2. Gene Siegel, Consultant GCS Consulting, LLC
How Do We Know What We Must Know? Data Improvement Strategies for Dual Status Youth Initiatives
Gene Siegel, Consultant
GCS Consulting, LLC

3. What is the “Relative Data Sophistication Index (RDSI) and
Why is it so important?
We know that before we do a presentation on data, particularly over lunch, we must conduct a validated assessment of the audience’s RDSI.
The RDSI gives us an initial indicator of a group’s receptivity to data-related content.
We have a validated instrument for this purpose.
It is easily and quickly administered; in fact, it only involves one question.
Because the results of the RDSI are fed into a national data repository for analyses, please be sure to take sufficient time before you respond. Are you ready?

4. Who is famous for making the following data-related statement?
“Make it so, Data!”
Was it:
Tom Brady
John Tuell
Ed Kelley
Captain Jean-Luc Picard

5. And the answer is:

8. Some Brief Examples of Aggregate National Juvenile Probation Data
Nationally, the number of delinquency cases receiving formal probation as the most severe initial disposition following adjudication decreased 25% from 2001 to 2010, from 345,700 cases to 260,300.
In 2010, in 61% of adjudicated delinquency cases, probation was the most severe sanction ordered by the court.
Between 65% and 70% of the 2 million youth arrested each year in the U.S. have a mental health disorder. Approx. one in four suffers from severe mental illness – this suggests that while overall probation numbers may have decreased, there are significant and persistent challenges associated with managing such cases.
Sources: Sickmund, Melissa, and Puzzanchera, Charles (eds.) Juvenile Offenders and Victims: National Report. Pittsburgh, PA: National Center for Juvenile Justice.
Shufelt, Jennie, and Cocozza, Joseph Youth With Mental Health Disorders in the Juvenile Justice System: Results from a Multi-State Prevalence Study. National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice. Go to

9. Data on Probation Recidivism: A Texas Tidbit
In what may be the most extensive state-based study on the state and local impacts of juvenile justice reforms, Texas A & M and the Council of State Governments analyzed the impact of JJ reforms enacted in Texas between 2007 and This research found:
Statistically significant differences in one-year probabilities of re-arrest between youth released from state-run secure facilities compared to youth under probation supervision in the community.
Youth released from state-run secure facilities exhibited a 41% one-year probability of re-arrest compared to 34% for youth under probation supervision.
Source: Closer to Home: An Analysis of the State and Local Impact of the Texas Juvenile Justice Reforms. January Go to

10. Probation Recidivism: A Taste of Los Angeles
A recent study in Los Angeles County found that approximately half (48%) of 1st-time violent offenders experienced a subsequent arrest and the risk of re-offending varied by disposition: Compared with in-home probation, the likelihood of recidivism was more than 2 times greater for youths assigned to probation camps and 1.28 times greater for youth assigned to group homes.
African American adolescents, Hispanic adolescents and adolescents with open child welfare cases were also at increased risk of recidivism.
The study findings indicate that in-home probation is a more effective approach to interrupting criminal trajectories of first-time violent offenders as compared with out of home placements.
Source: Ryan, Joseph, Abrams, Laura, and Huang, Hui. (2014). Social Work Research. National Association of Social Workers.

12. How many of you are satisfied with your organization’s abilities to track your kids or cases on an individual basis?
Are satisfied with the content and quality of automated summary data reports if you get these?
Are satisfied with your organization’s abilities to track key activities, performance & outcomes?
Are satisfied with your organization’s abilities to compile and analyze data?
Would describe your organization as being “data driven”?  

14. Probation System Reform Symposium: Advancing Practice, Changing Lives
April 7 - 8, 2016
Boston, MA