NCJ Number
111163
Date Published
1987
Length
25 pages
Annotation
The history and special problems of probation and parole are reviewed, and behavioral interventions that have been used with probationers and parolees are explored and discussed.
Abstract
The chapter discusses how traditional probation activities, such as recordkeeping, treatment plans, structures of contact with the probationer, accountability, and the use of incentives, can be reconceptualized by the application of behavioral approaches. The goals of the reconceptions are (1) to reduce the use of adversive control with offenders, (2) to make interventions responsive to the individual needs of the client, (3) to teach techniques that can be easily learned in the natural environment, and (4) to increase the probability that parole will lead to successful reintegration into law-abiding society. Specific training courses utilizing behavioral approaches have included social skills training for delinquents and contingency contracting for adult probationers and parolees convicted of drug offenses. Job-finding skills training using behavioral enhancement has also been successful, as has covert sensitization treatment for four groups of sex offenders. The authors conclude that a significant shortcoming of behavioral probation and parole has been a failure to train probation workers in behavior analysis and intervention. Additionally, the application of behavioral techniques to parole and probation has been met with hostility and mistrust. Public discontent with the goal of rehabilitation has also chilled innovation. Finally, behavior modification specialists have not made the training of corrections paraprofessionals a priority for research. 55 references.