Expansion of Remote Supervision Technology in Community Corrections: Lessons Learned from One State During COVID-19

Abstract

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic substantially disrupted community corrections work and forced agencies to adapt to continue maintaining public safety and helping clients navigate supervision. During this time, technology emerged as a key innovation to allow agencies to continue to achieve these mandates. The current study sought to better understand the role of technology in supervision during the pandemic with an emphasis on front-line officer perceptions. Using surveys of 184 probation and parole officers, we examined how officers adapted their supervision approach, the role of technology in this process, and the use of a mobile application to continue supervision during the pandemic. Study findings highlight pragmatic, risk-based adaptations that were made to supervision practices and ways technology was leveraged to mitigate the burdens of the pandemic. Additionally, we identified a number of barriers that hindered innovative efforts. This study adds to a growing discussion surrounding the promise of technological innovation in community corrections and how community corrections agencies can proactively prepare for future disruptions.