Assignment:
Developing a Supervision Plan
You are a probation officer and the case of John Doe is being assigned to you. Doe was just recently released from custody, having served a 60-month sentence for drug distribution. He is now on supervised release for a four-year term. You have met with Doe once in the office at which time you reviewed the conditions of his supervision with him. You have also spoken to his mother by phone. Using the referenced case materials, submit a paper addressing the following items:
- As a probation officer, what will be your approach (i.e., supervision style) for this offender? Identify any personal bias or preference you might normally have toward one supervision style or another. Explain how you will overcome that bias, if any.
- Identify and describe any factors you are aware of that may contribute or correlate with the increased likelihood the offender will continue in criminal activity. Identify any factors that may contribute to the defendant's success. In doing so, consider the offender's history and characteristics. Support your argument by explaining how you know the factor(s) are present and that they are relevant to the success of supervision and/or the likelihood of reoffending.
- Identify any potential responsivity factors that may need to be addressed. Describe how these factors might interfere with supervision and/or need to be considered in tailoring the supervision plan to the offender.
- Based upon the conditions of supervision, history, and characteristics of the offender and specifically the risk/responsivity factors you identified above, develop an initial supervision plan for this offender. In your plan, be sure to address behavioral monitoring activities, behavioral restrictions, and behavioral interventions. What level of supervision activity (i.e., minimal, intermediate, moderate, or intense) will be required to address the offender's risk level, and why?
- Are the current conditions of supervision adequate? Would you seek a modification to add or remove a condition? Explain and support your reasons.
Case Materials:
- John Doe Presentence ReportPreview the document
- John Doe Judgment With Supervision Conditions Preview the document
- John Doe Chronological Record (includes drug testing and risk assessment results)
- John Doe Prison Summary
Additional Instructions:
- The paper should be seven to ten pages in length, not including the cover page and bibliography
- Your plan must be supported by research using sources from course materials as well as your own additional research
Papers must follow APA style and all sources must be correctly cited
- Carefully evaluate your sources: who published it? Is it supported by research? Is it current or out of date? Is the author objective or is there an agenda?
- Writing style, grammar, and punctuation are a very important part of this project and will be graded. If necessary, you are encouraged to seek assistance with your writing. Always proofread your work before submitting.
Plagiarism
You are expected to write primarily in your own voice, using paraphrase, summary, and synthesis techniques when integrating information from class and outside sources. Use an author's exact words only when the language is especially vivid, unique, or needed for technical accuracy. Failure to do so may result in charges of Academic Dishonesty. Overusing an author's exact words, such as including block quotations to meet word counts, may lead your readers to conclude that you lack appropriate comprehension of the subject matter or that you are neither an original thinker nor a skillful writer.