During Texas' most recent legislative session, policy-makers passed various smart-on-crime policies that will benefit the lives of countless Texans.
Below, we have provided links to 3 new "How To" Briefs we created to help practitioners implement 3 of these critical bills. Please click on the links to download a PDF version of each:
- S.B. 1055: Community Justice Plans and Commitment Reduction Plans
- H.B. 1205: Self-Improvement Programming Credits for Probationers
- H.B. 2649: Diligent Participation Credits for State Jail Inmates
These are useful tools for judges, attorneys, probation professionals, programming providers, and those impacted by criminal justice system.
Todd Jermstad, who is Director of the Bell/Lampasas County Probation Department, recently wrote a book review of The Dynamics of Desistance: Charting Pathways through Change, which explores "the nexus between social and personal forces in the desistance process," wherein "people change from a life of crime to one of law abiding behavior." Click here to read the review.
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On March 16th, the House Committee on Corrections invited testimony on Interim Charge 2 to study and evaluate the availability and efficiency of community-based corrections supervision and treatment programs and their impact on prison capacity and recidivism rates, and to determine whether the supervision and treatment programs have been designed in accordance with evidence-based practices and whether adequate evaluation methods have been incorporated. Along with testimony from TDCJ, CJAD, and BPP, the Committee heard from several panels including local CSCD directors, specialty court judges, and visiting probationers discussing the realities of being on probation in their communities.
Many of the important materials presented at the hearing are linked below:
Dr. Teresa William’s Presentation: Negative Impact of 2003 Budget Cuts, Total of New Cases Probated for Dallas, Assessment Process Transformation, and Assessment Comprehensive Process.
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TCJC is pleased to present the first in a series of features on Texas probation departments that have been working to implement evidence-based practices. Our inaugural feature is on Travis County and the amazing work of Dr. Geraldine Nagy, Director of that department, and her supportive team. Click here to download!
Please stay tuned for upcoming features on other departments that have begun investing their resources in strategies that benefit taxpayers and our communities.
Bell County Community Supervision and Corrections Department recently established a substance abuse/post-traumatic stress disorder program designed to assist probationers who have been in military combat operations to better cope with post-traumatic stress disorders caused by their military experience. The program provides participants with alternative tools and strategies to help them stop the use of alcohol or controlled substances.
This program, run by Phyllis Davis, MA., LCDC, CART, CAS, is twelve-weeks long and requires individuals to participate in both group and individual counseling and undergo acupuncture twice a week to help relieve stress and anxiety in support of counseling efforts.
Congratulations to Todd Jermstad and his team for being part of the solution!
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Policy Recommendations - Check out TCJC's policy recommendations on how to fix prison overcrowding.
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Successful Probationers Need Positive Incentives - Because probationers are supervised in an ineffective system - and because offenders on probation in Texas receive the longest probation term in the nation - incarcerating revoked probationers costs Texas taxpayers millions. Find out why offering incentives to non-violent offenders will benefit Texas’ safety. (1 page fact sheet)
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Top Ten Performance Measures - Departments whose plans demonstrate supervision practices and policies consistent with evidence-based findings should be given preference by CJAD when it comes to distribution of discretionary funds. Learn more about the basic components that prove to be the most effective program designs and show the best outcomes. (1 page fact sheet)
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Implementing Evidence-Based Principles in Community Corrections: Collaboration for Systemic Change in the Criminal Justice System - This paper provides the reader with the essential elements of collaboration and valuable information as to why collaboration should be used. (9 pages)
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Implementing Evidence-Based Principles in Community Corrections: Leading Organizational Change and Development - Sections of this publication include changing the way business is done (the integrated model), organizational case management, the leadership challenge, the influence of infrastructure, the integrated organizational change process model, the importance of a healthy organization, leadership styles and leading change, managing transitions, and structural supports for change. This is a must-read. (April 2004, 19 pages)
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Implementing Evidence-Based Practice in Community Corrections: The Principles of Effective Intervention - Topics discussed include evidence-based practice (EBP); term clarification; the eight principles for effective interventions (assess actuarial risk/needs, enhance intrinsic motivation, target interventions, skill train with directed practice, increase positive reinforcement, engage ongoing support in natural communities, measure relevant processes/practices, and provide measurement feedback); components of correctional interventions; implementing EBP principles; applying the principles at the case, agency, and system levels; recommended strategies for implementing effective interventions; and levels of research evidence. (April 2004, 21 pages)
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Implementing Effective Correctional Management of Offenders in the Community: An Integrated Model - This document introduces the integrated model and provides three supporting documents that offer more in-depth information on each of the model components: Leading Organizational Change and Development, Collaboration for Systemic Change in the Criminal Justice System, and The Principles of Effective Intervention. Note: The unique feature of this model is its insistence that systemic change cannot be fully implemented or sustained without equal and integrated focus on evidence-based principles, organizational development, and collaboration. (April 2004, 3 pages)
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A Guide for Probation and Parole: Motivating Offenders to Change - This guide provides probation and parole officers and other correctional professionals with a solid grounding in the principles behind Motivational Interviewing (which involves listening to offenders and following up on the positive aspects of their speech and thinking), as well as a practical guide for applying these principles in their everyday dealings with offenders. (June 2007, 117 pages)
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Technical Assistance, Information, and Training for Adult Corrections - The National Institute of Correction's Service Plan for fiscal year 2008 contains opportunities available to those working in local, state, and federal corrections. Programming, information services, technical assistance, distance learning via satellite/Internet broadcasts, the NIC Learning Center, and partnership programs are described. An application for individuals, a statement of interest to host partnership programs, and an application for the regional field coordinator position are included. (July 2007, 119 pages)
- Check out the new publication by Dr. Tony Fabelo on Bexar County's Community Supervision, titled "Organizational Assessment and Modernization Plan of Bexar County Community Supervision and Corrections Department." Click here to read it.
- A Ten-Step Guide to Transforming Probation Departments to Reduce Recidivism- The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center released a guide for policymakers committed to reducing the likelihood that probationers will reoffend. This guide provides probation leaders with a roadmap to overhaul the operations of their agencies so they can increase public saftey in their communities.
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Probation and Parole’s Growing Caseloads and Workload Allocation: Strategies for Managerial Decision Making, American Probation & Parole Association – This examines the growing workload for probation and parole officers and explores the use of evidence-based practices, workload measures, and organizational development for the purpose of increasing management efficiency. (May 2007, 70 pages)
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Toward Evidence-Based Practice for Probationers and Parolees Mandated to Mental Health Treatment, Jennifer L. Skeem, Ph.D. and Jennifer Eno Louden, M.A. - According to the authors, many individuals with serious mental illness are on probation or parole. These individuals are twice as likely as those without mental illness to fail on supervision - that is, to have their community term revoked for a technical violation or a new offense. This article reviews a small but growing body of research on this problem and on practices designed to respond to it. (March 2006, 10 pages)
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Evidence-Based Adult Corrections Programs: What Works and What Does Not, Washington State Institute for Public Policy - Do you know what programs work to lower the criminal recidivism rates of adult offenders? Read this study for a comprehensive review of evidence-based programs, and learn which corrections programs have demonstrated the ability to reduce crime. (January 2006, 20 pages)
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From Prison Safety to Public Safety: Innovations in Offender Reentry, College Park Bureau of Governmental Research at the University of
Maryland - This paper examines (1) Reentry Partnership Initiatives, which include the formation of a partnership between criminal justice, social service, and community groups to develop and implement a reentry process; (2) Reentry Courts, which are modified drug courts that focused on the former inmate; and (3) Weed and Seed-based reentry partnerships. (March 2002, 35 pages) -
Improving Service Delivery: The Role of Screening and Assessment in the Criminal Justice Treatment Process, Kevin Knight, Ph.D. - This PowerPoint presentation provides research on treatment programs and how they work. The research provided proves effective treatment programs lower recidivism rates. Check out this presentation to view all data and statistics.