The judge is considering placing Shane White on probation but is unsure which caseload would be appropriate. He asks the probation officer Jamie Jacobellis to write a presentence investigation report and conduct a risk needs assessment on the offender. During this process, the probation officer will be asked to provide a recommendation to the judge/court regarding which caseload Shane White will be appropriate for.
Jamie Jacobellis is a basic live supervision officer and works specifically for this judge. She knows that Shane White could be placed on her caseload if the score is lower than 32. However, if the score is a 33 or higher, he will be placed on an intensive supervision caseload. Although his true score is a 31 (basic caseload), she decides to grant him a few additional points throughout to increase his score. Now she can recommend Mr. White be placed on an intensive caseload.
Primary Task Response: write 400-600 words
In your own words, define the risk/need principle with regard to probation caseload.
Who developed the principle? Describe.
Do you think the principle is important? Why or why not? Justify your response.
What impact do you think overclassifying Shane White will have on his case? Explain.
What does the supporting literature say?
Assume the judge caught this mistake and places him on the basic caseload.
What programming would you recommend to adhere to the needs principle? Explain your response.