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Session Submission Summary

Probation Reform: Through Legislation and Agency Action

Wed, Nov 13, 9:30 to 10:50am, Juniper - B2 Level

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

Today’s U.S. correctional population at 5.4 million in 2021 is the smallest in a decade, approximately 3 million of which are on probation, posing challenges for state agencies to protect community safety; rehabilitate individuals; assure equity and fairness; and optimize taxpayer costs. Understanding how community supervision can be reformed to improve fairness, justice, and safety to those subject to supervision and to society at large is important, as millions of individuals, their families, and communities are affected by supervision policies. Although community supervision can facilitate access to services through risk and need assessment and limit jail and prison populations through community-based monitoring and services, it can also act as a net-widener, punishing people with low-level convictions through increased surveillance. In response, some states have passed legislation to reduce the footprint of supervision and agencies are also initiating policies and practices to promote greater success while on supervision. The current panel focuses on four research papers from the Community Supervision Evaluation Partnership (CSEP) and the Integrated Dynamic Risk Assessment for Community Supervision (IDRACS) projects. These papers discuss state-wide legislative reforms, highlight results from two states implementing reforms, and describe the development and integration of a risk and needs assessment.

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