NCJ Number
53484
Date Published
1977
Length
25 pages
Annotation
A SYSTEM OF CASE CLASSIFICATION AND STAFF DEPLOYMENT WHICH AIDS BUDGETING, IMPROVES CASE MANAGEMENT, AND AIDS IN SERVICE DELIVERY IS DESCRIBED. IT IS USED FOR ALL PROBATION AND PAROLE CASES IN WISCONSIN.
Abstract
ONE OF THREE RELATED DOCUMENTS, THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WISCONSIN CASE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM AND THE HISTORY OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION. (SEE ALSO NCJ 53482 AND NCJ 53483.) AFTER EXAMINING OTHER SYSTEMS, IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT A SUCCESSFUL CASE CLASSIFICATION SCHEME MUST BE SIMPLE, ITS RATIONALE MUST BE READILY APPARENT AND ACCEPTED BY PROBATION AND PAROLE STAFF, SUBJECTIVE STAFF JUDGMENTS OUGHT TO BE RETAINED, PERIODIC REASSESSMENTS MUST BE MADE, AND THE CLASSIFICATION MUST BE INCORPORATED INTO THE AGENCY'S RECORDKEEPING SYSTEM. THE RESULTING SYSTEM COMBINES SUBJECTIVE, STATISTICAL, AND CLINICAL CRITERIA. ALL OFFENDERS ARE PLACED UNDER MAXIMUM SUPERVISION FOR THE FIRST 6 MONTHS, THEN ARE REASSESSED AND PLACED IN MAXIMUM, MEDIUM, OR MINIMUM CLASSIFICATIONS. A TABLE ILLUSTRATES HOW THIS SYSTEM IS USED TO ALLOCATE STAFF AND BUDGET. THE PLAN WAS IMPLEMENTED ONE DISTRICT AT A TIME AND STAFF COMMENT USED TO IMPROVE IT. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THE SYSTEM IS NOT DESIGNED TO PUT LABELS ON CLIENTS OR TO FOLLOW ANY PSYCHOTHERAPHY MEDICAL MODEL OF DIAGNOSIS BUT, RATHER, TO MEET CLIENT NEEDS AND TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY FROM FURTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. EXTENSIVE NOTES AND REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)