A Mixed Methods Analysis of Virtual Check-ins for Community Supervision in Georgia

• In Event: Person Centered Supervision: Where Research Meets Practice

Abstract

Concerning the dialogue element of Person-Centered Supervision, it’s critical to understand the challenges and benefits of different methods of communication between officers and clients. To this end, our study evaluates the impact of virtual check-ins on community supervision outcomes compared to traditional in-person check-ins. Utilizing administrative data for individuals on probation and parole from 2017-2024 from the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, we examine supervision outcomes, such as misdemeanor and felony rearrest, as well as employment status and transition to contact or “call-in” supervision, at both the individual and judicial circuit levels. This analysis also examines the prevalence of supervision conditions and technical violations to assess how these factors cooccur with virtual or in-person check-ins. Our mixed methods approach also integrates longitudinal analyses with qualitative focus group and interview insights. This study presents the results of focus groups with community supervision officers from a purposive selection of circuits and interviews with individuals on supervision to explore the benefits and potential obstacles of using virtual check-ins in a community supervision setting. Combined, these insights will offer valuable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners on implementing and optimizing virtual supervision methods, potentially informing future strategies in community corrections nationwide.

Authors

• Christopher Inkpen, RTI International

• Jamie Newsome, RTI International

• Nicholas Powell, Georgia Department of Community Supervision

• LaSasha Bowden, Georgia Department of Community Supervision