NCJ Number
202033
Journal
Perspectives Volume: 27 Issue: 2 Dated: Spring 2003 Pages: 22-24
Date Published
2003
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the Proactive Community Supervision (PCS) program that has been implemented in Maryland.
Abstract
Significant benefit that can result from routine contacts with offenders under community supervision programs. Assuming that a court or parole order is sufficient incentive for an offender to change his or her behavior is short-sighted. Maryland’s PCS program offers a model program for the effective community supervision of offenders. The objectives of the program include protecting the public safety, holding offenders accountable to victims and to the community, and helping offenders become responsible, proactive members of the community. These objectives are accomplished by assigning probation and parole agents to supervise offenders in a specific neighborhood. The program takes the agents out of offices and puts them in neighborhoods, walking the streets and getting to know offenders, their friends, and family. More frequent face-to-face contact with offenders in their own neighborhoods lets offenders know they are under real supervision, which is designed to motivate offenders to change their offending behavior. Empirical evidence supports the PCS model of community supervision. The underlying principle is that intervention and treatment services should match the offenders’ risk of recidivism and possible treatment needs. In this way, offenders at greater risk are provided with more resources than offenders who have little risk of recidivism and no treatment needs. The effectiveness of cognitive behavior interventions for high-risk offenders is discussed, as is the importance of an offenders’ social support network. References