The Impact of Rehabilitative Field Contacts in Probation and Parole on the Likelihood of Recidivism

• In Event: Supervision Tools, Policies, Risk Assessment in Community Corrections

Abstract

Probation and parole are key elements of the reentry process, and a core component of these community supervision practices is the use of field contacts. Field visits typically involve activities focused on compliance, such as visual confirmations of location or drug testing. However, although less common, these contacts can also include the use of more rehabilitative practices (e.g., motivational interviewing). Incorporating these activities as standard practice for field visits can potentially allow supervision agencies to be more proactive in their handling of supervisees, allowing them to identify and address any issues early on and reduce the likelihood that the supervisee will recidivate. Using qualitative and quantitative data from a randomized controlled trial of rehabilitative practices in the field in two Midwestern sites, we explore the types of rehabilitative activities that are most common during field visits, and whether the use of these practices is associated with the likelihood of recidivism within 1 year of release.

Authors

• Melissa Renee Nadel, Abt Global

• Jasmine Harmon, Abt Global

• Miranda Hines, Abt Global

• Vanessa Masick, Abt Global

• Jeffery Carrano, Abt Global

• Rebecca Ivester, Abt Global