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Abstract: 

The complete issue include three instructive and thoughtful articles together with an extensive book review section by our book review editor. The first article, by Dr. Michael E. Antonio and Jesse S. Zortman, is an informative and instructive examination of parole agents’ understanding and identification of criminogenic risk factors, an informative and thoughtful addition to the research on the use of assessments by the front line in both institutional and community settings. The second article, by Dr. Nena P. Messina and William M. Burdon, provides an interesting and optimistic evaluation of programing in a secure housing unit (SHU) and should inspire programs in community settings to be willing to expand their efforts in programing in residential centers. Dealing with violence and trauma-prevention programs is a major challenge for correctional work regardless of the setting, but this evaluation of a program in the extreme conditions of a secure handling unit should encourage agencies working in less restrictive settings to be more innovative and aggressive in their programming. The third article, by Lusanne Green, Coordinator of the International Community Corrections Association, provides a report on ICCA’s 2020 virtual Forum on Criminal Justice, which included presentations on coping with the effects the pandemic has had on the delivery of justice-related services. This issue’s Worth Reading column, by Russ Immarigeon, provides readable and helpful reviews of recently released books in the criminal justice field. I would especially draw your attention to the review of Reuben Jonathan Miller’s (from my point of view, much awaited) book on issues related to experiences of conditionally released individuals who find themselves halfway home and still needing to deal with matters of race and punishment that have become the legacy of mass incarceration.

Keywords: Parole Agents, Offender Supervision, Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) Model, Criminogenic Risk Factors, Secure Housing Units (SHUs), Exploring Trauma (ET), Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Maximum Security Confinement, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Affiliations:  1: Journal Editor.