This report, based on an expert panel convened by RAND and University of Denver on behalf of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), examines how best to incorporate those with lived experience to improve community supervision outcomes.
To explore the challenges and opportunities associated with incorporating lived experience into the community supervision process, the University of Denver and RAND hosted a workshop on behalf of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Participants in the workshop identified and prioritized 28 needs. Themes that emerged included the perceived underutilization of lived experience initiatives, the need for guidance and support for community supervision agencies, the need for appropriate metrics to evaluate effectiveness, the need to understand barriers to hiring individuals with lived experience, the need to address differential needs of those with lived experience, the need for a sustainable pipeline of individuals with lived experience, and the need for standards and best practices for lived experience roles. The workshop highlighted the potential of lived experience initiatives and the importance of addressing the identified needs to promote broader adoption and improve outcomes.