New Jersey Probation Risk-Based Supervision Grant Pilot Project

The Second Chance Act of 2007 provides a comprehensive response to the increasing number of people who are released from prison and jail and returning to communities, including resources to address the myriad needs of these offenders to achieve a successful return to their communities. The FY 2013 Smart Probation Program (SPP) seeks to improve probation success rates, which would in turn improve public safety, reduce admissions to prisons and jails, and save taxpayer dollars. Funds can be used to implement evidence-based supervision strategies and to innovate new strategies to improve outcomes for probationers. The goal of this program is to develop and test innovative strategies and to implement evidence-based probation approaches that increase community safety and reduce violent crime by effectively addressing individuals' risk and needs and reduce recidivism.

The grant funds will be used to support the New Jersey Probation Risk-Based Supervision Grant Pilot Project. The grant funds will add resources to enhance the prospects of the pilot and secure a high quality, independent research evaluation by Rutgers University. The project will achieve two primary goals: (1) implement risk assessment for a caseload placement and workload model for its adult probation population statewide; and (2) test the reallocation of Division manpower and resources. To meet these goals the grant recipient will: (1) implement initial and follow up risk assessments for every client; (2) assign cases to probation officers based on risk level; (3) target Division resources toward the high risk clients; (4) evaluate the impact of risk assessment on recidivism and public safety; (5) improve access to health care, housing, transportation, employment and other benefits; and (6) develop strong relationships with state and local partners and the private sector. During the course of the grant, the Division expects to serve approximately 10,000 clients.

CA/NCF