RT Article
T1 Juvenile Probation Officer Decision-Making in a Reforming State: Assessing the Application of Evidence-Based Principles
JF Criminal justice and behavior
VO 47
IS 9
SP 1136
OP 1155
A1 Miller, Joel 1975-
A2 Palmer, Krissinda
LA English
YR 2020
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1768344477
AB Whereas research has shown improvements in decision-making shortly after the introduction of risk/need assessment (RNA) tools, studies of routine practice nonetheless show shortcomings in RNA utilization. The current study uses an experimental survey-based vignette method to assess juvenile probation officer decision-making several years into a sustained evidence-based effort to implement an RNA in Pennsylvania. Consistent with the risk-need-responsivity (RNR) model, results show officer decisions correspond with clients’ risk and need. Moreover, adherence to the RNR model was found for clients across risk levels and offense categories. However, officers often relied on services for low-risk clients, and made decisions about interventions based on offense characteristics. Results suggest a discretionary form of decision-making, taking cues from within and beyond the RNR model, including from punitive and traditional welfare-oriented approaches. Findings highlight the challenges of producing RNR-consistent decision-making, even when using a sustained scientific RNA implementation strategy.
K1 Decision-making
K1 Juvenile
K1 Probation
K1 Risk-need-responsivity
K1 risk/need-assessment
DO 10.1177/0093854820925112