Santa Cruz Probation Department: Reform at the System Level

• In Event: RNR on the Left Coast: A Research-Practitioner Partnership in Santa Cruz County

Abstract

Santa Cruz Probation reached out to the Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence! to address the need for more responsive programming for clients, especially those on probation through AB-109. Corrections reform in California has resulted in an influx of probationers to county systems, both in jails and in the community, but resources are limited. While AB-109 offenders are non-violent, non-serious, non-sex offenders, many are higher-risk than the general probation populations.

With the goals of effective treatment matching and resource allocation, SCPD worked with ACE! to examine what services were available for offenders and what services were needed. This was accomplished through analysis of the data from CAIS risk-needs assessments, county recidivism, and 36 programs completing the RNR Program Tool.

Our findings include that the greatest need in Santa Cruz was substance abuse, followed by emotional factors, criminal orientation, and vocational needs. We also found that recidivism rates were higher for those with identified needs in basic living, criminal orientation, and substance abuse. With regard to programming that is available, we found the greatest number of programs dealt with substance abuse, mental health, and criminal thinking. This paper will discuss the both the process and the findings of this project.

Authors

• Andrew Davis, Santa Cruz County Probation Department

• Amy Murphy, George Mason University

• Faye Taxman, George Mason University