Findings From An Experimental Study of Rehabilitative Activities During Field Visits in Probation and Parole

• In Event: Improving Client Outcomes in Community Corrections

Abstract

Field work is a core community supervision practice in reentry, and involves activities focused on compliance (e.g., visual confirmations of location) or, less often, rehabilitative practices (e.g., motivational interviewing). Community supervision agencies have begun incorporating rehabilitative practices into field contacts; yet without strong research on the implementation and challenges of incorporating rehabilitative practices in the field (e.g., safety concerns), policymakers face uncertainty when determining how best to conduct field work. A key component of developing that evidence base is a clear understanding of the content of rehabilitative practices during field contacts and the contexts in which contacts are more or less difficult to conduct. Using qualitative and quantitative data from a randomized controlled trial of rehabilitative practices in the field in two Midwestern sites, we will present preliminary findings on typical field contact activities, the benefits and challenges of incorporating rehabilitative practices into field contacts, and what impact rehabilitative practices in the field have on rearrest. Results will help community supervision agencies implement rehabilitative practices in the field by answering key research questions about (1) the impact of rehabilitative field contacts on recidivism; (2) implementation takeaways for agencies, officers, and supervisees; and (3) if rehabilitative field contacts are cost effective?

Authors

• Melissa Renee Nadel, Abt Associates

• Vanessa Masick, Abt Global

• Jasmine Harmon, Abt Associates

• Miranda Hines, Abt Associates

• Rebecca Ivester, Abt Associates

• Jeffery Carrano, Abt Associates