Communication Patterns among Key Stakeholders in the HOPE Demonstration Field Experiment

• In Event: Update on the HOPE Demonstration Field Experiment

Abstract

As part of the process evaluation component of the HOPE DFE, researchers conducted interviews with key stakeholders when implementation began and at an intermediate time (about nine months later). Those involved with HOPE at the four sites were asked to rate how often they communicated with the Project Coordinator, HOPE Judge, Probation Management, Probation Officers, Prosecutor, Defense, Jail Administrator, and Sheriff. The stakeholders reported their level of communication on a scale from “never” to “every day.” In general, communication patterns reflected the local culture and agency structure surrounding the implementation of HOPE. Also, frequency of communication was strongly correlated with perceptions of involvement in the implementation and operation of HOPE (i.e., those who were perceived as being very involved in implementation also received ratings indicating frequent communication).

Authors

• Laura Winger, Pennsylvania State University

• Gary Zajac, Pennsylvania State University