NCJ Number
111533
Date Published
1987
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This 1986 workload measurement study for Virginia's probation and parole officers, which replicated a similar 1983 study, assessed the impact of three significant programmatic changes on officers' time use: a revised presentence report format, a modified supervision history recording system, and the development of intensive supervision caseloads.
Abstract
All 365 full-time probation and parole officer positions were sampled on randomly selected days. The increase in time spent on investigatory activities was attributed to the revised report format incorporating additional data elements and to policy changes requiring a formal report on all persons entering probation or parole supervision. Contributing factors in the decline of supervisory time were the redirection of time to investigatory activities and the shifting of cases to lower levels of supervision. Other assigned duties required more time, in part reflecting requirements in the standards instituted in May 1983. The standards mandate minimum training hours and periodic staff meetings. The use of leave time was relatively stable compared to 1983. Recommendations presented to the deputy director in March 1987 suggested further analysis of certain findings, a reduction in the number of supervisory levels, a revised workload measure for supervisory and investigatory services, and periodic re-evaluation of service priorities and their time requirements. Technical appendixes, 7 tables. (Author summary modified)