NCJ Number
162717
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 29 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1996) Pages: 29-46
Date Published
1996
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study examined several factors in the community supervision of offenders in terms of their impact on recidivism.
Abstract
Thirty community corrections officers in Victoria were offered a 5-day training course that included instruction in principles of prosocial modeling and reinforcement, problem- solving, and empathy. These officers were asked to use the supervision model they were taught in actual client supervision and to participate in a series of additional training sessions. An analysis of files and police records was then undertaken to collect information on the extent to which file notes reflected use of the prosocial approach and how effective this approach was in reducing recidivism. Results demonstrated that community supervision characterized by a prosocial approach, the use of problem-solving, and the use of empathy was related to lower recidivism. Client recidivism rates, measured by breach rates and reoffending rates 1 and 4 years after the start of supervision, were 25 to 50 percent lower when community corrections supervisors used prosocial supervision principles. The prosocial approach seemed to have more impact than the use of problem- solving and empathy. 40 references and 7 tables