NCJ Number
240735
Journal
Perspectives Volume: 36 Issue: 4 Dated: Fall 2012 Pages: 1-100
Editor(s)
William D. Burrell
Date Published
2012
Length
100 pages
Annotation
In continuing the Perspectives Journal's effort to provide probation and parole staff with updates on evidence-based practices in community corrections, this issue contains articles on the "new normal" (the current status of policies and practices) in probation and parole.
Abstract
"Discover Corrections: Extraordinary Choices, Extraordinary Rewards" reviews issues in attracting employees to probation and parole agencies and retaining them over the long term. Among the issues discussed are the changing expectations and demands of the Millenial generation and advances in digital technology. "Fixing Broken Lenses: Toward Humanistic Practice in Probation" describes the author's returning to probation after a decade away. He views his experience of the "new normal" in offender supervision as being more "humanistic" than a decade ago. This view maintains that how the probationer is treated as an individual will significantly influence his/her response to treatment and commitment to successful outcomes. This requires that the needs, interests, and concerns of the probationer become a central focus of the probation officer's casework. "Change Is Possible" describes how the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice created its own "new normal" through a long-term commitment to change and improvement in outcomes for the youth and residents of the State. The "Book Review" section of the journal reviews "Working With Involuntary Clients: A Guide to Practice," which presents a "new normal" in terms of more effective strategies for working with "involuntary clients." The "Technology Update" reviews NIJ-funded research on the effectiveness of electronic monitoring and GPS. The "Safety Update" calls for staff sharing of their experiences in supervising clients, including safety incidents, and what has and has not worked with various types of clients. Such sharing of experiences provides input that may be used in updating policies, training, and awareness. A CD of this journal issue is available.