One Size Fits All? Condition Setting and Risk and Needs

• In Event: Aligning Supervision Conditions with Risk and Needs Information

Abstract

The present study analyzes interviews with multiple stakeholders to detail how probation and parole conditions are set in three community supervision sites, and what role, if any, risk and needs assessments play in the condition-setting process. The findings suggest that parole board members and judges do not tailor conditions to risk and needs information, instead, heavily relying on standard conditions and the conviction offense. The study also finds that while POs can remove conditions on the back end, as individual risk and needs change, they rarely do. The study concludes with implications for practice and policy.

Author

• Ebony Ruhland, Rutgers University