The Differential Impacts Of Probation Staff Attitudes On Use Of Evidence-Based Practices

Keywords

Community corrections; Evidence-based practices; Implementation; Probation

Abstract

The evidence-based policy movement has become an important feature of community corrections systems. As part of this movement, community corrections agencies emphasize the use of standardized assessments to inform case planning with probationers. Despite evidence supporting the use of these practices, research documents many challenges with implementation of these best practices in routine probation work. However, little attention has been paid to the impact of staff attitudes toward use of evidence-based practices on correctional reform. Using hierarchical linear modeling, the current study examined the predictors of attitudes toward and the use of evidence-based supervision practices. Additionally, this study examined the impact of organizational predictors on willingness to use evidencebased practices in their supervision of the probationers on their caseloads. Analyses suggested that net of probation office context, when individual probation staff had positive perceptions regarding their agency, they held more positive attitudes toward evidence-based assessment practices and reported using case planning practices more frequently. Implications surrounding organizational change and evidencebased practice implementation efforts are discussed.

Publication Date

11-1-2018

Publication Title

Psychology, Public Policy, and Law

Volume

24

Issue

4

Number of Pages

449-458

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1037/law0000180

Socpus ID

85054587034 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85054587034

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