The role of case management and risk assessment in probation and parole By Christopher Ratliff essay
Today due to the implementation of integration of risk assessment practices with effective intervention strategies as the foundation of case management system, it is possible to develop effective training patterns to work with offenders. The major correctional practices require the use of case management framework as the effective “use of authority, anti-criminal modeling, and reinforcement, problem solving, the use of community resources, and quality of interpersonal relationships between staff and client” (Rudes et al, 2013, p. 41). Undoubtedly, these factors should be included in training of correctional officers. The statistical data of the American Criminal Justice System says that “over four million American adults and over 500,000 juveniles are under probation supervision, while over 840,000 adults are under parole supervision (Rudes et al., 2013). Probation and parole are two significant procedures that require effective case management practices. Parole stands for the conditional release of an offender. Parole “differs from probation in that offenders on parole have served prison terms and have been released under supervision” (Rudes et al., 2013, p.13). Today’s case management models developed within the criminal justice system are based on the social service models of the late 1960s and early 1970s, which link offenders to their community settings with effective “drug treatment programs, mental health services, and social service agencies prior to their release” (Healey, 2009, p. 2). The major goal of this paper is to discuss case management and risk assessment and their role in probation and parole. Special attention should be paid to the discussion of evidence based practices in the field of corrections.
The role of case management in probation and parole
Case management systems are used to enhance the work of employee in the field of probation and parole. There are many case management systems that are designed to “focus the supervision effort of probation officers on client problems, which are identified using the standardized assessment of probationer risks and needs” (Clear et al., 2012, p. 204). One of the models of case management systems has five basic components, which include “statistical risk assessment, systematic needs assessment, contact supervision standards, case planning and workload accounting” (Clear et al., 2012, p. 205). Each of these components helps to increase the effectiveness of probation supervision practices.
As jurisdictions across the United States have developed and adopted effective case management techniques aimed at combating recidivism, violence, abuse, homelessness, and joblessness, the significance of case management system has been increased (Healey, 2009). In fact, “case management is being used for arrestees, probationers, and parolees who need services such as batterer intervention, drug treatment, mental health treatment, or to provide help for mentally retarded offenders” (Healey, 2009, p. 2). It has been found that the case management of offenders should be supervised by well-trained probation/ parole officers (Healey, 2009).
Generally speaking, case management models in probation and parole services are designed to link the criminal justice system to treatment interventions. Many offenders have to return to prison because they violate the established probation and parole requirements. As a matter of fact, the monitoring components of case management services are designed to perform the required supervisory functions of probation and parole.
The role of risk assessment in probation and parole
The role of risk assessment is crucial to effective probation and parole practices. The term “risk” is used to define certain conditions of uncertainty regarding the occurrence of some damage, loss, destruction, or harm (Kemshall, 2007). According to researchers, “risk is now becoming the core business of the probation service”(Kemshall, 2007, p. 245). Actually, the identification and assessment of risk in probation and parole services have become the key issue of many criminal justice agencies. The need for effective risk assessment has led to the use of specific technologies. Although risk is considered to be a negative phenomenon in the criminal justice system, it requires the proper management practices (Kemshall, 2007). Probation and parole risk assessment helps to avoid many difficulties through “monitoring and assessment of risky behavior over time and combining the use of traditional indicators with knowledge and observation of behavioral traits, personality characteristics and situational factors” (Kemshall, 2007, p. 238). Risk should be properly managed. Various risk assessment tools can be viewed as powerful forces that have a strong impact on probation and parole, suitable for accomplishing the mission of the institution and improving its effectiveness (Kemshall, 2007; Raynor et al., 2000).
Evidence based practices in the field of corrections
Today correctional officers use the systems of case management and risk assessment. Evidence-based practices which involve case management and risk assessment tools are very effective in the criminal justice system as they provide much important information on the issue. According to recent research, risk of recidivism in the field of corrections can be predicted (Raynor et al., 2000). The assessment of risk and needs of the offender requires measuring some changes in various factors over a certain period of time (Raynor et al., 2000). For example, the Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R) assessment tool developed in Canada helps to obtain the required record of factors that should be reviewed prior to case classification. This risk assessment tool assists in the allocation of the proper resources both within and among criminal justice system offices (Raynor et al., 2000). The Assessment, Case Management and Evaluation (ACE) tool developed in the UK enables probation/parole officers to “assess the criminogenic needs of offenders in a comprehensive and consistent way” (Raynor et al., 2000). This risk assessment tool helps to effectively plan supervision, achieve the appropriate needs, and to apply repeated risk assessments in order to identify the progress in services and measure the effectiveness of supervision in addressing the required needs (Raynor et al., 2000). Risk assessment tools are reliable for the use within probation and parole.
Besides, recent evidence based practices in the field of corrections demonstrate effectiveness of case management services for juvenile offenders who need specific treatment “based on the established patterns of need and risk ascertained by valid risk prediction tools” (Onifadea et al., 2008). These evidence based practices help to determine the role of the profiles of offenders. It has been found that risk profile may be used as an effective risk assessment tool of categorizing offenders and defining their needs (Onifadea et al., 2008).
A growing body of research is focused on discussion of the strengths of case management models appropriate for probation and parole (Prendergast & Cartier, 2008). Researchers define several effective case management models, including Transitional Case Management Model. This model helps to provide successful transition of offenders from prison treatment to community treatment. There are three major stages in this model, based on the recent research (Prendergast & Cartier, 2008). First, two months prior to release, the offender should set the major post-release goals in order to utilize the proper resources. Second, case conference is needed to provide the offender’s transition to community, occurring a month prior to release. Third, regular meetings are necessary to support the offender when he/she reenters the community (Prendergast & Cartier, 2008).
Conclusion
Thus, it is necessary to conclude that case management and risk assessment systems play an important role in probation and parole. Due to the use of evidence based practices in the field of corrections, it is possible to better understand the significance of these systems in achievement of the established goals. While offenders are under the supervision of probation/ parole officers, there is an opportunity to improve the offender’s lifestyle through reduction of future criminal behavior. Case management in probation and parole services allows to link offenders to the specific services and counseling practices. In fact, case management services help to enhance collaboration between the elements of the criminal justice system, social services and health care services in order to improve transition from the correction institution to the community setting. Recent researches show that development and implementation of effective methods for risk assessment in parole and probation guarantee success in these services through incorporation of the dynamic supervision progress techniques provided by probation and parole officers. In general, Probation and parole officers effectively use risk assessment in order to assign the intensity of intervention and identify the required criminogenic needs.
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