The Use of Mobile Reporting among Probation Agencies: Lessons from the Field

• In Event: Community Corrections in a Post-Pandemic World: Lessons Learned from COVID-19 and Innovations in Supervision

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted probation agencies to pivot towards virtual reporting in the vein of social distancing. This shift, deemed a "social experiment," showed early promise in offering cost-effective supervision, cutting travel expenses, and granting officers more time for clients. However, questions remain regarding the continued impact of the pandemic on the daily operations and modified reporting methods of probation agencies across the nation, and there remains a need for lessons learned from agencies who shifted to virtual reporting. The current study builds on the quantitative survey data collected through the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ Annual Probation Survey’s 2020 COVID-19 supplement by gathering qualitative interview data from probation agencies (n = 9) who increased their use of virtual or mobile reporting. Findings from these qualitative interviews contextualize the changes reported in 2020 to determine the extent to which agencies continued these changes in reporting and describing lessons learned from the changes, including the benefits and drawbacks to virtual reporting. This study informs community corrections’ use of virtual reporting strategies and offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of probation supervision in a post-pandemic world.

Authors

• Luke Muentner, RTI International

• Travis Meyers, RTI International