Case planning and recidivism of high risk and violent adult probationers

Abstract

This research examined the relationship between case planning indicators and recidivism for a sample of medium and high risk Canadian probationers sampled from two separate probation offices operating under the same policies and standards. A scale that measured completeness of case planning based on an evidence-based, outcome-focused case planning model called Community Safety Planning, revealed significant differences in case planning completeness between the samples with the probation office reporting higher levels of completeness demonstrating significantly lower levels of recidivism. This effect was also observed when investigating the entire sample; high-risk probationers with more complete case plans had 52 per cent less recidivism than high-risk probationers with less complete case plans. The nature of communication between probation and police services on an individual case basis was also examined in an effort to better understand how these partnerships are currently functioning, and whether there is opportunity to improve the strategic nature of the communication to achieve the common goal of community safety. Implications for best practices in case management with offender populations are offered.