An Examination of Probation Officer Tasks by Officer-Caseload Type

Abstract

Prior research regarding probation officer roles and tasks has included statutory analyses, time studies, and computation of daily tasks in relation to risk level of offenders. However, there is limited research investigating specific proportions of probation officer tasks by officer caseload type. The current study builds on existing literature by providing an initial investigation into the daily tasks of adult probation officers of a medium-sized, tri-county probation department in a Southwestern state. For all officers, only 26% of tasks involved face-to-face contact with probationers. While regular caseload officers had the largest caseloads, specialized officers were more likely to supervise high-risk individuals. Court officers had the lowest proportion of face-to-face contact with probationers among the three groups. There were some significant differences in tasks observed between specialized and court officers and no statistically significant differences between regular officers and specialized officers. Recommendations for changes in probation practice are provided.

Predictors of recidivism following release from custody: a meta-analysis

“…We purposely targeted samples released from custody as they tend to be more persistent in their criminality, have committed offences of a more serious nature, and have higher rates of recidivism (Ministry of Justice, 2020). Arguably therefore, and in the context of the increased workload demands within Probation Services (DeMichelle & Payne, 2018;Martin & Zettler, 2020), there is urgency in identifying those at higher risk of recidivism among samples pending custodial release. We also focused on a defined follow-up period of six months to four years on the basis that, in those countries that measure recidivism over five years or more, the trajectory of recidivism is steepest up to six months and tails off significantly after three years (Durose et al, 2014;Fazel & Wolf, 2015).…”

“…Moreover, on release to the community, criminal justice professionals often have to distinguish these individuals quickly -to direct finite resources to the management of those at highest risk of causing harm. These decisions are made in the context of increasing workload demands (DeMichelle & Payne, 2018;Martin & Zettler, 2020); for example over the past 30 years the number of people sentenced to indeterminate sentences has increased three-fold both in the US (The Sentencing Project, 2020) and in the UK (MoJ, 2016).…”

A Qualitative Exploration of Shifts to Community Supervision Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…For some POs, navigating the pandemic brought forth negative experiences. Martin and Zettler (2021) found that 30% of POs in their study were overwhelmed during the pandemic. Officers were forced to navigate adjustments to their typical approach to the job, while also managing the increased needs of clients (e.g., increased mental health concerns, employment, housing, and food insecurity) (Schwalbe & Koetzle, 2021).…”