IV. Offender Types

The basic tools of behavior management supervision hold across the broad spectrum of criminal offenders under supervision in the community.

Violent and sex offenders, petty thieves, drug abusers, first time and career criminals -- all require supervision that blends assessment and case planning, communication, information, incentive, and services. While individual offenders require supervision plans tailored to their individual circumstances and criminogenic needs, effective and efficient behavior management recognizes and capitalizes on common patterns among offenders' conduct.

The groups of offenders, to name a few, are:

Effective assessment requires identifying offender types and beginning the case planning process from a framework that fits the profile of an individual offender. "Practice Guidelines" for different offender types provide a starting point for supervision strategy and planning. They set the supervision agency's standards for the type of incentives and services staff are expected to deliver to each group. Practice guidelines include actions that staff should perform, such as establishing frequent contact and rapport with victims in domestic violence cases, and expectations for offenders such as registering with local authorities in the case of certain sex offenders.

Many offenders, of course, will not fit neatly into one of the listed "types." Men who batter their domestic partners often may also have a problem with alcohol and illicit drugs. In these cases, practice guidelines can help staff prioritize and phase in supervision strategies that will maximize recidivism reduction.