NCJ Number
81216
Date Published
1981
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This executive summary of the reports from the Improved Correctional Field Services Project (ICFS) capsulizes major findings and recommendations from a study that examined the effectiveness of using risk-screening procedures to assign probationers to different supervision levels.
Abstract
Three projects in Kane County, Ill.; Suffolk County, N.Y.; and Florida were developed to test the effectiveness of using risk screening procedures to assign probationers to different levels of supervision. The central thrust of the research sought to determine what level of supervision is effective with what risk classification of probationers with respect to various probation outcomes. The integrity of the original ICFS plan could not be maintained. Two sites did not validate their risk measures before operational use, and in no site did the actual level of supervision reach the intended levels. Actual supervision, as measured by the number of face-to-face contacts, did vary according to the assigned minimum, medium, or intensive supervision levels. The procedures used to develop the risk-screening instruments had serious flaws. The risk scores used to assign probationers to supervision levels, however, did have some validity in each site. Neither risk class, supervision level, nor the interaction of risk and supervision had a significant effect on probation outcomes in any site. Probationers whose needs were congruent with their perception of their probation officer were more satisfied with their supervision than those whose needs were not well matched to their supervising officer. Recommendations address aspects of planning of such programs and needs for further study. Abstracts of other reports from the project are provided. For other reports in the series, see NCJ 81217-24.