Strain on probation officers: Specialty liaisons alleviate officer barriers

• In Event: Innovations in Probation Supervision

Abstract

As prisons make strides in reducing incarcerated populations, probation and parole caseloads have been increasing. This requires extensive resources and knowledge for officers supervising high caseloads. Officers are often asked to provide connections to community resources such as behavioral health, housing, transportation, and other sources that can support success within communities. Data from this study includes perspectives from probation and parole officers asked to identify salient community needs that are vital to success for individuals they supervise. The department implemented regional support specialists to liaise with officers to help connect clients to community resources. This alleviates each individual officer having to be aware of current community resources that are often needed by clients. Officers identified areas of need such as current inpatient treatment, housing and transportation, insurance, gender specific needs, and physical healthcare. The most often noted areas of need included housing, transportation, and mental health services. Based on this feedback, trainings and resources for the regional specialists were tailored to support officers in these areas. Officers have reported the increased support has alleviated strain on them.

Authors

• Ashley Givens, University of Missouri

• Elizabeth Taylor, University of Missouri

• Kelli Canada, University of Missouri