Within the Canadian criminal justice system offenders are often placed back into the community under the supervision of probation officers, as an alternative to incarceration (Griffiths & Murdock, 2014, p. 68). Imposed as a sentence by the Criminal Court judge, in a number of different ways and under different circumstances, probation is the most commonly used strategy for this type of supervision (Griffiths & Murdock, 2014, p. 92). When sentenced to probation, a criminal offender is placed under supervision in the community for a set amount of time up to three years, and is required to follow any general and specific conditions outlined by the court (Griffiths & Murdock, 2014, p. 69). Key to the success of correctional interventions include
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117). In the following essay, in addition to further discussing the characteristics of successful probation supervision, I will discuss motivational interviewing (MI) as an evidence-based approach to supervision, and its effectiveness. By implementing motivational interviewing into their practices of supervision, probation officers enable themselves to build interpersonal connections between themselves and probationers, and properly consider the specific needs and risk posed by probationers through conversation in a way that demonstrate both control (through change) and assistance (through assessment), thus satisfying the three characteristics of successful probation supervision. In successful probation supervision, a probation officer will ensure the establishment and maintenance of rapport. Rapport encourages the offenders (probationers) to open up to the officer, which enhances the officers capacity to effectively monitor the compliance of probation conditions and intervene on a continues basis to prevent the escalation of problems (Skeem & Manchak, 2008, p. 224). In other words, officers should, to the best of their ability, ensure that a close and harmonious relationship is …show more content…
One evidence based practice, known as motivational interviewing (MI) is a communication strategy centered on motivational processes that facilitate the change of unhealthy and problematic behaviors in a manner congruent with the personal values and concerns of the probationer, by exploring and resolving ambivalence (Cook et al., 2013, p. 2). The MI approach in probation supervision is designed to establish collaborative efforts to ensure probationers understand their options throughout their sentence, and make choices towards their successful rehabilitation on their own (Durnescu, 2012). Through MI, officers give the probationers an opportunity to reflect on themselves which in turn enables them to grasp a clearer understanding of themselves to develop insight into their own behavior and its need for change (Durnescu, 2012, p. 198). The use of MI consist of a number of tools including the use of open questions, to facilitate open (tell all) responses; affirmation, to induce positive reinforcement and acknowledgment; reflection, to assure reception and induce explanation; and summary, to illustrate understanding of key concerns (Cook, et al., 2013, p. 5). Throughout the MI process it is essential for probation officers to communicate caring towards the probationer by displaying
117). In the following essay, in addition to further discussing the characteristics of successful probation supervision, I will discuss motivational interviewing (MI) as an evidence-based approach to supervision, and its effectiveness. By implementing motivational interviewing into their practices of supervision, probation officers enable themselves to build interpersonal connections between themselves and probationers, and properly consider the specific needs and risk posed by probationers through conversation in a way that demonstrate both control (through change) and assistance (through assessment), thus satisfying the three characteristics of successful probation supervision. In successful probation supervision, a probation officer will ensure the establishment and maintenance of rapport. Rapport encourages the offenders (probationers) to open up to the officer, which enhances the officers capacity to effectively monitor the compliance of probation conditions and intervene on a continues basis to prevent the escalation of problems (Skeem & Manchak, 2008, p. 224). In other words, officers should, to the best of their ability, ensure that a close and harmonious relationship is …show more content…
One evidence based practice, known as motivational interviewing (MI) is a communication strategy centered on motivational processes that facilitate the change of unhealthy and problematic behaviors in a manner congruent with the personal values and concerns of the probationer, by exploring and resolving ambivalence (Cook et al., 2013, p. 2). The MI approach in probation supervision is designed to establish collaborative efforts to ensure probationers understand their options throughout their sentence, and make choices towards their successful rehabilitation on their own (Durnescu, 2012). Through MI, officers give the probationers an opportunity to reflect on themselves which in turn enables them to grasp a clearer understanding of themselves to develop insight into their own behavior and its need for change (Durnescu, 2012, p. 198). The use of MI consist of a number of tools including the use of open questions, to facilitate open (tell all) responses; affirmation, to induce positive reinforcement and acknowledgment; reflection, to assure reception and induce explanation; and summary, to illustrate understanding of key concerns (Cook, et al., 2013, p. 5). Throughout the MI process it is essential for probation officers to communicate caring towards the probationer by displaying