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Abstract: 

The present analysis gathered data from a self-administered questionnaire that assessed parole agents’ understanding about the principles of effective community-based programming. State parole agents who were completing their orientation training were asked to define the meaning of the term “criminogenic” and to identify specific risk factors that evidence-based practices indicated are strong influences for future criminal behavior and recidivism. This was an exploratory analysis. Overall, findings showed that many of the parole agents correctly remembered a definition for criminogenic factors and could identify the main risk factors associated with reoffending, including antisocial attitudes, denial of responsibility, hostility, antisocial beliefs, antisocial associates, antisocial values, poor self-control, substance abuse problems, minimizations, poor decision-making skills, poor problem-solving skills, and rationalizations. Other findings revealed that agents showed uncertainty about whether issues pertaining to mental health and well-being (depression, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy) were risk factors for reoffending. These findings suggest that staff trainings incorporating evidence-based practices can equip new parole agents with important information that can facilitate offender supervision and increase offender success in the community after release from prison.

Keywords: Parole agents, offender supervision, risk-need-responsivity (RNR) model, criminogenic risk factors, reentry

Affiliations:  1: West Chester University; 2: Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.