Title

A Practical Ideal Model for Effective Offender Interventions: An Assessment of the Travis County Adult Probation Department

Document Type

Research Report

Comments


An Applied Research Project (Political Science 5397) Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Texas State University-San Marcos, in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Public Administration, May 2008.
Faculty Approval:
Dr. Hassan Tajalli
Dr. Kay Hofer
Ms. Emilia Zarate

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this research is threefold. The first purpose is to review the literature on a model composed of eight principles for effective offender interventions identified by the National Institute of Corrections. The second purpose is to find out to what extent the Travis County Adult Probation Department (TCAPD) is currently practicing each of these principles. Finally, this research makes recommendations on further development of the supervision methods used by this agency. Method. This applied research project utilizes a survey as the sole method of data collection. The survey was sent to 200 probation officers at the TCAPD to find out the degree of adherence of this agency to the principles of effective offender interventions. Results. The results indicate that this department adheres to most of the principles of effective offender interventions in the model.