Promoting Better Probation Practice: A Landscape Analysis in Allegheny County

• In Event: New Directions in Community Supervision Research: Research Practice Partnerships, Client and Staff Perceptions

Abstract

Although probation is the most common sentence in Pennsylvania’s criminal courts, relatively little is known about what characteristics of probation sentences, probationers, and probation conditions are associated with client success. Advancing evidence-based probation practice requires a better understanding of “dosage” – what conditions courts impose, what services clients use, and what actions probation officers take – and “response,” such as probation violations, revocation, termination, and completion. Research practice partnerships (RPPs) can build this evidence base and develop long-term research capacity to continually improve and evaluate probation practice. We use a unique dataset from Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) and draw on a research-practice partnership to explore factors that are associated with client success. We provide a descriptive overview of the landscape of individuals on probation, their needs, probation conditions, and probation officer actions. Using matching and discontinuity techniques, we examine what conditions, services, and contacts are associated with greater rates of probation completion, technical violations, or new criminal charges. We also examine how “what works” may differ between case types and individuals. This analysis will help better tailor probation to promote successful completion and use resources most efficiently. We discuss the importance of RPPs for improving public safety practice and implementing evidence-based strategies.

Authors

• Nicholas Goldrosen, Pennsylvania State University / Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing

• Noah Painter-Davis, Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing / Pennsylvania State University

• Sanjeev Baidyaroy, Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, Criminal Division

• Matthew Kleiman, Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing