Reducing Recidivism: What you Need to Know to Set Conditions of Probation that Work

Probation and community supervision are among the most researched areas of criminal justice. This has yielded some universally accepted principles for setting conditions of probation that work: judges, probation officers and treatment and program staff should enjoy open communication (within the limitations of judicial ethics), work as a team, and use specialized knowledge in crafting conditions of probation to the needs of the individual probationer.

Join us for a conversation among judges, probation officers, and treatment and program staff on how to set conditions of probation that maximize the probationer’s chances for success. The agenda will be as follows:

Introductory Remarks by Edward Dolan, Commissioner of Probation

Panel #1: Setting Conditions of Probation that Work

Moderator: Superior Court Judge Peter B. Krupp
Dr. Ronald P. Corbett, UMass Lowell & Robina Institute, University of Minnesota Law School
Shannon McAuliffe, Director, Roca, Inc.
John Millett, Statewide Supervisor – Juvenile, Probation Service

Panel #2: Setting Conditions of Probation that Work for Individuals with Drug and Alcohol Challenges

Moderator: District Court Judge Barbara Savitt Pearson
Patricia O’Hagan, Director, East Boston Rehabilitation and Health, Inc.
Todd Rogato, Assistant Chief Probation Officer, Middlesex Juvenile Court
Probation Officer Kevin Sheehan, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Massachusetts Probation Service

At the end of this seminar you will be able to:

• Identify best practices for probation conditions that work.
• Identify best practices when setting probation conditions for individuals with substance abuse challenges and emerging adults.
• Describe the nature of social science proof of the efficacy of probation conditions, and in determining what is an evidence or research-based practice, in promoting probationer success.
• Describe and identify the conditions that work and do not work from the perspective of the leaders of some of the most successful programs.