NCJ Number
153609
Date Published
1993
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This report describes how a simulation model of the operations of a proposed change in the frequency-of-contact rules for the Hennepin County (Minnesota) probation and parole department was developed and tested.
Abstract
Due to an increased volume of offenders, the county's Bureau of Community Corrections has been forced to reevaluate standards regarding which offenders who be directly supervised and for how long. The proposed standards require probation and parole officers to directly supervise only the most serious offenders for a 24- month period, during which time the intensity of supervision would be higher at the beginning of the probation period and decline over time. The computer simulation which assessed the impact of various procedural changes used the current state of officer caseload as an initial condition, and incorporated several events and a random number of offenders. The simulation was run for a period of six simulated years. System performance was evaluated in terms of the time-average caseload per officer and the number of times an offender failed to make an appointment. Results of the simulation have led to new contact rules which will directly affect probation and parole officers' caseload and the manner in which they work. 7 tables and 2 references