Topic: Everything Education / Need to measure success of offender programs?

Absolutely no connection has been found linking lower offender revidivism to greater frequency of contact with a probation offficer/agent. What has been found effective in lowering recidivism rates in study after study is the quality of that contact and how well it addresses the offender’s underlying causal factors. This is why careful assessment is important. It identifies those most likely to recidivate, and the most likely underlying causal factors contributing to that prediction. Using that information, correctional staff can make better decisions regarding who gets what kinds of programming, and when. Given that there are usually long waiting lists for programming, it makes no sense to simply take the next person off the waiting list if they are identified by the assessment as low risk, with a fairly low need for the program under consideration. It just wastes a spot that could have better served someone at higher risk with greater need.

And, of course, programming should be based on a proven, research-supported curriculum, with results being carefully tracked to see how well the program works in reducing recidivism, who it works best for, at what intensity, and whether it is cost-effective compared to other evidence-based alternatives.

Topic: Everything Education / Turn over of new Staff

If you really want to get worried, check out the paper posted on the National Institute of Corrections website (www.nicic.gov) about the 21st Century Correctional Workforce. There are a lot of demographic trends working against us, as fewer Americans have big families and, believe it or not, there will be a labor shortage within 10 years.

Topic: Everything Education / Turn over of new Staff

We need to better understand why correctional staff leave and how we can retain the best of those we recruit. This issue will become more acute when (if?) the economy improves and jobs outside of corrections become more plentiful/enticing. This workforce challenge comes at a time when technology is making jobs in corrections more complex, requring higher-level skills, education, and computer literacy. Pay will have to improve. The culture of corrections will also have to change, so that employees feel better supported, appreciated, acknowledged and rewarded for doingthe kinds of things that make communities safer.

Topic: The Club House / PO Work; Got Tips?

Best place to start would be either the website for the American Probation and Parole Association (www.appa-net.org) or the National Institute for Corrections (www.nicic.gov). Either can provide you with good background material.