NCJ Number
169718
Date Published
1997
Length
62 pages
Annotation
Three versions of an offender needs assessment scale to be used by probation officers in Great Britain were pilot tested to determine how the probation officers perceived them and the results the forms achieved.
Abstract
Some 1,500 forms were completed on almost 700 offenders at different stages in their probation supervision. Forms were completed more than once for almost 500 of the 700 offenders. The results revealed that probation officers did not have major difficulty in using the scales. Some regarded the scales as useful as ways of structuring assessment. However, many were less convinced about their potential for improving probation practice; some regarded the classifications as oversimplified. Some were also concerned that scales might reduce the skills and autonomy of probation personnel. All three versions of the form revealed that problems with employment or finances were the most common among the offenders. All three versions also frequently identified problems associated with criminal friends and with intimate family relationships. Problems less often identified included mental health problems and sexual, physical, or racial abuse. Substantial proportions of offenders displayed improvements over time, and substantial proportions displayed no change. In addition, substantial proportions displayed apparent worsening of problems over time, probably due to fuller disclosure or to variations in definitions of the problems. Findings suggested several policy implications for the development and use of needs assessment scales. Tables, figures, footnotes, appended scales and additional results, list of other Home Office publications, and 19 references