Community Supervision Officers’ Perceptions of Risk and Desistance Among Clients on Probation or Parole: A Case Study in Georgia

Abstract

A key component of community supervision officers’ (CSOs) roles is to support clients on probation or parole, assessing them for risk of re-offending and indicators of desistance. To better understand officers’ discretionary decision-making, we conducted nine virtual focus group interviews with a total of 48 CSOs across one state; analyses of these interviews yielded two main themes. The first theme captured officers’ perceptions of signs of risk, as CSOs shared insights as to how unemployment/under-employment, non-compliance or evasiveness, overcompliance, substance use, outside information, and antisocial associations raised flags for the potential of re-offending. The second theme detailed how pro-social and proactive attitudes, open and frequent communication, appropriate compliance, and stability (e.g., employment, housing, relational) acted as positive signs of desistance. Understanding these perspectives illuminates the multifaceted considerations that influence officers’ evaluations of risk and desistance in their caseloads and provides insights into means for enhancing the effectiveness of community supervision.