Performance Measures for Probation Systems in the United States: Timing is Everything

• In Event: Can Global Corrections and Sentencing Performance Measures be Developed?

Abstract

In this paper, results from a recent review of the performance of four U.S. Probation agencies will be used to illustrate the need for the development of more time-focused probation performance measures. We will explore the concept of critical time periods during supervision, particularly related to the delivery of risk and need assessment, case planning, responding to non-compliance, and frequency of contacts. We describe the measures and data needed to complete the new time-focused performance review framework, and then we offer an assessment of its likely impact on probation practice. We also discuss the potential development of national-- and global-- probation performance measures, and the subsequent identification of both high performance and low performance probation systems.

Authors

• Stephanie Ainsworth Maass, George Mason University

• Faye Taxman, George Mason University

• Lauren Dunhaime, George Mason University