Reducing Community Supervision Failure for People with Mental Illness: Strategies for Promoting Success

Abstract

ABSTRACTJustice-involved people with mental illness are at increased risk for failure while on community supervision. Probation and parole officers (POs) have significant influence on the outcomes of these individuals through various supervision tactics and approaches. Prior research on specialty mental health supervision has helped identify a number of specific tactics that are both necessary and effective for supervising people with mental illness. This study builds upon this evidence base to offer POs additional insight and guidance that can help them promote the success of people with mental illness on community supervision. Toward this purpose, this study centers the voices and lived experiences of both individuals with mental illness on probation and parole and the POs who supervise them. Using qualitative data collected from focus groups with specialized probation and parole officers and responses to semi-structured interviews conducted with people with mental illness on community supervision, this study describes the unique experiences and challenges faced by people with mental illness and identifies specific strategies POs can use to be more helpful, impactful, and effective in their supervision of people with mental illness.