Probation and Pretrial Services

Evidence-Based Practices

To promote use of evidence-based practices in the federal system, the AO established the Research-to-Results (R2R) grant program, which funded training and additional services related to evidenced-based practices in 18 volunteer districts. The AO also took steps to improve case assessment and planning with the testing of risk/needs tools in select probation offices. It sought advice from experts as to what type of tool would best serve the courts' needs and set a goal to begin development of a new national tool that will begin in fiscal year 2008.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Policy Updates
A working group of probation and pretrial services chiefs and officers and Federal Judicial Center staff teamed up with the AO to significantly revise The Supervision of Federal Offenders, Monograph 109, the primary policy resource for probation officers in the supervision of offenders. The revamped monograph offers updated guidance in substance abuse treatment and mental health treatment and brings the monograph in line with current knowledge about treatment and approaches that yield positive results in post-conviction supervision.

New Officer Training

In fiscal year 2007, the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Training Academy trained its 600th newly appointed officer. In 2005, the Administrative Office established the academy in partnership with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston, SC. The academy's five-and-a-half-week curriculum addresses officers' core investigation and supervision duties, including training in mental health, sex offender, and substance abuse issues; safety, including training in firearms, defensive tactics, and driving; and other important areas, including training in officer ethics and legal liability. Providing training in an academy setting has improved consistency in policy and program implementation nationwide. For new officers, the training has helped foster professionalism and a shared vision, attitude, and direction.

25th Anniversary of the Pretrial Services Act
In September, pretrial services officers from across the country celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Pretrial Services Act. The Act expanded pretrial services—which had begun as an experiment in 10 districts—to every federal judicial district (except the District of Columbia) and established pretrial services as a critical part of the justice process. In carrying out their investigation and supervision duties, pretrial services officers help balance the defendant's right to pretrial release with the court's concern that the defendant neither fail to appear in court nor endanger the community. Since the passage of the Act, fewer than 2 percent of the cases have resulted in a released defendant's failure to appear for trial or a released defendant being arrested.