Learning Objectives and Resources

Learning Objectives and Resources web_admin

Goals

Provide instruction on effective correctional interviewing techniques and field report writing.

Sample Learning Objectives

  1. Identify the common types of interviews and interactions conducted within community corrections.
  2. Explain research related to the therapeutic alliance/collaborative relationship within community corrections.
  3. Identify strategies that justice professionals can use to strengthen the collaborative relationship with individuals they supervise in the community.
  4. Identify the common types of reports used in community supervision.
  5. List common information gathered for reports used in community supervision.
  6. Identify common sources of information for reports used in community supervision.
  7. List qualities of a good report.
  8. Distinguish the differences between report writing and technical/research writing.
  9. Describe the influence of information in reports on decision making in the justice process.

Self-Paced Online Courses

Self-Paced Online Courses web_admin

Skills for Tribal Pretrial Services Practitioners: Interviewing Techniques
Developed by the American Probation and Parole Association, this online self-paced training course provides tribal community corrections professionals with an overview of the interview process, key interviewing skills, and ethical responsibilities of the pretrial interviewer. 
https://appa.academy.reliaslearning.com/Skills-for-Tribal-Pretrial-Services-Practitioners-Interviewing-Techniques--APPA-STPSPIT-G.aspx

The NIC Learn Center has classes on writing and grammar, computer skills, communication, project management, and corrections topics. All that it needed is to create a free account.
Click here for NIC Learning Center Registration

Publications

Publications web_admin

Labrecque, Ryan M, Myrinda Schweitzer, and Paula Smith. “Exploring the Perceptions of the Offender-Officer Relationship in a Community Supervision Setting.” Academic and Business Research Institute. Journal of Criminal Justice Research. http://www.aabri.com/manuscripts/121424.pdf 
This study explores the impact of the Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS) model on offender perceptions of their collaborative working relationships with supervising probation or parole officers. The data in this study was collected as part of an EPICS project at the University of Cincinnati. The results examine the nature and quality of offender perceptions of their probation or parole officers based on officer training status (i.e., trained versus untrained officers) and officer adherence to the EPICS model (i.e., high-fidelity versus low-fidelity officers). The results also examine the influence of offender perceptions on the likelihood of rearrest. Policy implications and recommendations for future research are outlined.

“Tips for Building Rapport.” American Probation and Parole Association, 2015. Tips for Building Rapport PDF 
Handout created by the American Probation and Parole Association. This brief handout provides tips to influence and guide probationers to comply with their supervision.

Pittaro, Michael. “9 Soft Skills Every Criminal Justice Professional Needs.” Corrections1. In Public Safety, September 24, 2018. https://www.corrections1.com/american-military-university/articles/9-soft-skills-every-criminal-justice-professional-needs-D8HR9La3uzDI8Y8L/ 
Soft skills encompass personal characteristics and traits. They are the intangible skills, which are challenging to quantify and measure, but something that criminal justice employers, myself included, seek out in candidates. Unfortunately, soft skills are largely lacking and overlooked within the criminal justice profession, particularly within law enforcement and corrections.

Walters, Scott T, Michael D Clark, Ray Gingerich, and Melissa Meltzer. “Motivating Offenders to Change: A Guide for Probation and Parole.” National Institute of Corrections, July 21, 2022. https://nicic.gov/motivating-offenders-change-guide-probation-and-parole 
This publication "provides probation and parole officers and other correctional professionals with both a solid grounding in the principles behind MI [motivational interviewing] and a practical guide for applying these principles in their everyday dealings with offenders" (p.2). Seven chapters are contained in this guide: how MI fits in with evidence-based practice; how and why people change; the motivational interviewing style; preparing for change; building motivation for change; navigating through tough times--working with deception, violations, and sanctions; and from start to finish--putting MI into practice.

Websites

Websites web_admin

Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers
This web site provides resources for those seeking information on motivational interviewing.  It is hosted by the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), an international organization committed to promoting high-quality MI practice and training. 
https://motivationalinterviewing.org/

Videos/Podcast

Videos/Podcast web_admin

Motivational Interviewing in Corrections, National Institute of Corrections
This podcast was produced by DC Public Safety Radio.  The program interviews Bradford Bogue, Director of Justice System Assessment and Training and a motivational interviewer trainer since 1993, and Anjali Nandi, Program Director of the Center for Change. She has been a member of the International Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers since 2003. 
https://media.csosa.gov/podcast/audio/?s=motivational+interviewing