Appropriateness Statement Outline
Brief summary of the practice, its effects (or lack thereof), and the evidence for it. This is intended as a snapshot for readers to quickly understand what the practice is and whether it is appropriate to use based on the available research evidence.
Types of Contacts
- While in-person/face-to-face contacts by themselves are not evidence-based practices, they can be used to deliver evidence-based interventions (e.g., motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral interventions).
- Remote contacts are promising but more research is needed.
- Contacts are an important way for officers to interact with and supervise clients.
- They provide opportunities to build rapport with clients and monitor their compliance with supervision conditions.
- Three types of contacts are most used: (1) in-person/face-to-face contacts, (2) telephone contacts, and (3) kiosk reporting.
Frequency of Contact
- The evidence in support of the effect of the frequency of contact on recidivism is inconclusive.
- Contacts between officer and client are a vital part of evidence-based supervision.
- The risk principle calls for increased contacts for individuals who are at higher risk of recidivism.
- Increased contacts introduce more opportunities for intervention but also increase the level of surveillance on clients.
- Increasing surveillance through frequency of contact can increase the number of technical violations detected.
Collateral and Employer Contacts
- The evidence supporting the effects of collateral (client’s family and social supports) and employer contacts on recidivism is inconclusive.
- There are no empirical evaluations that isolate the effectiveness of collateral and employer contacts.
- Collateral and employer contacts are generally highly valued aspects of an officer’s fieldwork.
- Positive encounters between officer and client in the community can build rapport.
- Rapport built through collateral contacts has been shown to increase the likelihood that the family member, close friend, or service provider will contact the officer when concerned about the client.
Drug Testing
- Drug testing on its own or coupled with sanctions is not an evidence-based practice.
- It has no impact on recidivism.
- Evidence exists that providing incentives for obtaining negative drug test results is effective.
- Drug testing can help determine whether a client has substance-use issues.
- Increased levels of drug testing may lead to increased technical violations.
Electronic Monitoring
- The evidence of the effectiveness of electronic monitoring (EM) to reduce recidivism is inconclusive.
- The empirical evidence is both limited and mixed.
- Evidence shows EM can be effective when combined with other programming (e.g., substance use treatment programs).
- The costs of EM can be a burden to the individual.
- Wearing EM technology in public can be stigmatizing to clients.
Financial Restrictions
- The evidence for effects of fines, fees, and restitution on recidivism is inconclusive.
- There is limited evidence that shows crime-reducing effects, but there is evidence of the harmful effects of fines, fees, and restitution.
- Unpaid fines, fees, or restitution can lead to a host of negative consequences for clients, such as revocation, which make reintegration difficult.
- Fines, fees, and restitution are monetary sanctions meant to punish, redeem, and draw revenue from individuals on supervision.
House Arrest
- The evidence on house arrest on recidivism is limited but promising.
- There are few evaluations, but there is evidence that house arrest can be an effective alternative to incarceration.
- House arrest is often combined with electronic monitoring and a curfew (see electronic monitoring statement for guidance).
Phone-Based Monitoring
- The evidence on phone-based monitoring on recidivism is promising.
- Phone-based monitoring can include phones, text, emails, videoconference, etc.
- Phone-based monitoring can be used as a replacement for or supplement to face-to-face contacts with an officer.
- Phone-based monitoring can be used to support the positive change of a client and monitor compliance to supervision conditions.
Restraining Orders
- The evidence on restraining orders on recidivism is inconclusive.
- Often restraining orders are issued in response to an abusive intimate relationship but can be issued for other domestic relationships as well (e.g., family members).
- The empirical evidence refers to the use of restraining orders used in domestic abuse circumstances. Less is known about no-contact orders used in supervision.
Anger Management
- CBT-based anger management is an evidence-based practice.
- Anger management programs that are educational or awareness building are not effective.
- Evidence indicates that CBT-based anger management programs reduce general and violent recidivism.
- Skills taught in anger management programs help clients build strong interpersonal relationships and comply with the conditions of supervision.
Feedback
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