1. Classification and Supervision in Probation and Parole
Chapter 6
Classification and Supervision in Probation and Parole

2. Introduction
Supervision is an officer’s oversight of clients committed to his or her custody
Probationers nationwide:
60%-direct sentence to probation
30%-suspended sentence
9%-split sentence
Most sentenced for drug or alcohol violation
77% men/23% women
55% white/31% African American/12% Hispanic/2% Native American or Asian/Pacific Islander

3. Neighborhood-Based Probation Supervision
In NBS, probation officers are in the community more than the office and engage community groups as partners and collaborators
Emphasis is on public safety
Probation officers are community organizers
NBS and traditional probation supervision share involvement in surveillance and development of prosocial behaviors

4. The Surveillance Function in Probation
Supervision requires the officer to:
Notify the offender of the conditions and consequences for noncompliance
Provide surveillance to ascertain compliance
Methods of surveillance include:
Unannounced and announced visits
Curfew
Electronic monitoring
Phone verifications
Graduated sanctions
Collection of urine samples for drug testing

5. Developing Prosocial Behaviors
Supervision must address the barriers that result in recidivism and assist in positive behavioral change, such as:
- building on an offender’s strengths
- assisting with employment
- integrating family as informal social controls

6. Classification: The First Step in Supervision
Classification requires the probation officer to:
Use an objective assessment scale to compute the risks posed by the offender
Identify offender needs requiring intervention
Select appropriate supervision strategies
Highest priority is placed on identifying risks that would jeopardize public safety

7. Classification: The First Step in Supervision, cont.
Actuarial Risk Assessment
The LSI-R, CMC and COMPAS are among the available assessment tools
The LSI-R includes static and dynamic factors
Identifying Treatment Needs
- The officer identifies those characteristics, conditions or behaviors that limit motivation and may lead to criminal behavior

8. Classification: The First Step in Supervision, cont.
Identifying Treatment Needs, cont.
Treatment needs include drug or alcohol abuse, mental illness, anger management or education or vocational deficiencies
The officer identifies treatment activities to address the needs and bring about law-abiding behavior

9. Classification: The First Step in Supervision, cont.
Developing the Case Plan
Supervision issues addressed in the plan may involve:
Conditions imposed by the court
Risk control
Treatment

10. Classification: The First Step in Supervision, cont.
Levels of Supervision
Most classification systems use the traditional categories of maximum, medium and minimum
The categories specify the smallest amount of contact requirements
Factors of contacts include:
Type of contact
Location of contact
Frequency of contact

11. Classification: The First Step in Supervision, cont.
Caseload and Workload Standards
- A caseload is the number of individuals or cases one officer can effectively supervise
- The more intensive the supervision, the lower the caseload
- The APPA recommends a workload standard of 120 hours per month
- The workload standard concept is preferable to allow for comparison, research and interpreting work to legislators and others

12. Specialized Caseloads
Specialized Caseloads have proven to be effective for:
Drug offenders
Gang members
Sex offenders
Offenders with mental illness
About 5% of probationers and parolees are classified under a “special” caseload

13. Interstate Compacts on Probation
The original compact was signed in 1937 by 25 states and was ratified by all states by 1951
The Interstate Compact for Juveniles was established in 1955
The Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision began in 2000
Under provisions of the compact, there is no requirement for an extradition hearing