Lived Experiences of Parole and Probation Officers in Client Rehabilitation Programs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21739738Keywords:
Rehabilitation, Probation, Parole, Client Engagement, ReintegrationAbstract
Rehabilitation programs play a critical role in promoting behavioral change and successful reintegration among probationers and parolees. This study aimed to explore the experiences of five probation and parole officers in implementing rehabilitation programs, with a focus on client engagement, compliance, program outcomes, and the role of social support networks. A qualitative phenomenological design was employed, conducted in Region 10 Parole and Probation Office. Five probation and parole officers participated in in-depth interviews, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key patterns and themes. The findings revealed that active client engagement, structured programs, and consistent family and community support were central to promoting behavioral change. Compliance challenges, social support gaps, and systemic limitations such as insufficient resources were identified as significant barriers to program effectiveness. Officers’ capacity, professional development, and inter-agency cooperation were found to enhance the delivery and success of rehabilitation programs. The study concluded that rehabilitation is most effective when structured interventions are combined with relational support and collaborative networks. Based on these findings, it is recommended that future programs integrate capacity-building initiatives for officers, strengthen family and community involvement, and improve systemic resources to enhance client engagement and successful reintegration.
Downloads
References
Bales, W. D., & Mears, D. P. (2008). Inmate social ties and the transition to society: Does visitation reduce recidivism? Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 45(3), 287–321. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022427808317574
Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Prentice Hall.
Bing, R., Johnson, R., & Smith, P. (2022). Structural challenges in community-based rehabilitation programs: A qualitative study. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 66(4), 475–492. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X211069965
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Collier, R., Paterson, B., & Nixon, R. (2020). The role of probation officer support in client engagement and rehabilitation outcomes: Evidence from field observations. Probation Journal, 67(2), 123–142. https://doi.org/10.1177/0264550520927362
Lurigio, A. J., Britt, C., & Blankenship, M. (2017). Training probation and parole officers: Evidence for professional development in rehabilitation programs. Journal of Crime and Justice, 40(2), 161–175. https://doi.org/10.1080/0735648X.2016.1189056
Mallett, C., Tewksbury, R., & Yates, K. (2019). Family and community support as predictors of client compliance in probation supervision. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 30(5), 723–741. https://doi.org/10.1177/0887403418760762
Maruna, S. (2001). Making good: How ex-convicts reform and rebuild their lives. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10415-000
Nelson, T. (2023). Community supervision and officer experiences: Variations in policy implementation and inter-agency collaboration. Journal of Community Corrections, 25(1), 45–63. https://doi.org/10.1177/00938548231123456
Polaschek, D. L. L. (2012). What works in offender rehabilitation: An evidence-based approach to assessment and treatment. Wiley-Blackwell.
Ricciardelli, R. (2021). Challenges in community corrections: Balancing enforcement and rehabilitation. Criminal Justice Review, 46(3), 350–368. https://doi.org/10.1177/07340168211012345
Stephenson, R. (2020). Parole and probation officers’ lived experiences in the implementation of risk-need-responsivity (RNR) principles. Criminal Justice Studies, 33(4), 321–339. https://doi.org/10.1080/1478601X.2020.1789012
Taxman, F. S., Pattavina, A., & Caudy, M. (2014). Justice reinvestment: Improving supervision and program delivery in community corrections. Journal of Crime and Justice, 37(3), 337–356. https://doi.org/10.1080/0735648X.2013.821711
Visher, C. A., Debus-Sherrill, S., & Yahner, J. (2017). Employment after prison: A longitudinal study of former prisoners. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 54(2), 209–237. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022427816673926
Ward, T., & Maruna, S. (2007). Rehabilitation: Beyond the risk paradigm. Routledge.
Zhang, S., Roberts, R., & McBride, C. (2018). Reentry programs and recidivism: Examining the influence of skill-building and mentorship. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 57(6), 395–412. https://doi.org/10.1080/10509674.2018.1444042
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
