PA County Chief Adult Probation Officer's Association

A Force for Positive Change 

The ultimate goal of the County Adult Probation and Parole Departments of Pennsylvania is to protect the safety of the public by embracing and providing a balance of prevention, intervention and advocacy.

Under the jurisdiction of the President Judge of the County or Judicial District, the Chief Adult Probation and Parole Officers and Directors of Adult Probation and Parole Services are responsible for:

  • Managing the department’s planning process;

  • Developing policies, procedures and protocols to meet the changing needs of community corrections;

  • Managing methods of delivering services to the courts, community and offenders;

  • Managing personnel, finances, information, facilities and equipment;

  • Ensuring that the day-to-day challenges are done responsibly, effectively and efficiently.

The goal of this website is twofold:

  • To provide information to the public to better understand the challenges of probation and parole work, and;

  • To provide a clearing house for the professionals in the field for timely information regarding the Association.

For those of you, who are just visiting, feel free to explore. You will find:

  • A Welcome from the Association President;

  • The Association’s By-Laws;

  • Listing of current Officers, Board Members and Committee Chairs;

  • Links to other sites of interest in law enforcement and community corrections;

  • Links to County websites.

Members of the Association may access:

  • Meeting minutes and an archive from previous years;

  • Directory of Chief Adult Probation Officers/Director of Probation Services;

  • Up-Coming Events;

  • County Transfer Information.

A note on site navigation:
PA SealClicking on the Pennsylvania State Seal at the top of each page will bring you back to this home page.

 

Evidence Based Practice

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the application of science into operational practice for services and programs for offenders. The goal is to use practices that have been empirically tested and have been shown to reduce recidivism among offenders.

Based on numerous studies and meta analyses of offender rehabilitation programs, researchers have outlined a set of principles to guide the implementation of EBP.

The evidence-based principles for effective services and interventions with offenders are:

  1. Conduct an assessment of offender risk and needs using an actuarial instrument and determine the drivers of criminal behavior;

  2. Enhance intrinsic motivation through use of constructive communication techniques, such as motivational interviewing and goal setting;

  3. Apply risk, need, and responsivity principles (i.e., target high-risk offenders, focus on changing criminogenic factors, provide services that match needs.) provide the appropriate dosage of services; and, deliver treatment and other services as part of the sentencing and sanctioning process;

  4. Employ programs and practices grounded in scientific evidence (i.e., cognitive behavioral therapy) and delivered by trained staff

  5. Utilize community support networks to reinforce pro-social behaviors and help offenders establish prosocial contacts in the community

  6. Routinely monitor and assess offender and staff performance