Feasibility Results from an Incentive and Positive Youth Development-Based Probation Supervision Model: Opportunity-Based Probation

• In Event: Integrating the Science of Adolescent Development into Juvenile Probation Practice

Abstract

In 2013 and 2014, the National Research Council of the Committee on Law and Justice emphasized the importance of integrating adolescent brain and developmental science into juvenile justice practice. The report outlined the key features of adolescent developmental science, including underdeveloped emotional regulation, sensitivity to peers and rewards, and difficulty anticipating future outcome. Opportunity-Based Probation (OBP) is explicitly designed around these key features of adolescent development using evidence-based principles of behavior change, including contingency management, positive youth development and family engagement. This paper reports on preliminary findings of this pilot project through qualitative analysis of focus groups and individual interviews with parents and youth involved in OBP. Results from focus groups with parents prior to pilot launch revealed that the parents wanted to see youth held accountable and liked the emphasis in the program on parent collaboration. Parents were open to rewarding youth only if youth clearly earned incentives. The OBP program was well-received by youth who reported that long periods of probation supervision are not helpful, that meeting with probation officers can be even more helpful than ordered treatment classes, and they were positive about the opportunity to earn activities and incentives by achieving goals. The final paper will also report on individual interviews of youth and parents who participate in OBP over the next six months.

Authors

• Sarah Walker, University of Washington

• Susan Miller, Pierce County Juvenile Court

• Kate Pearson, Pierce County Juvenile Court