III. Deportment: Interview Skills

Supervision plans, by their very nature, entail some form of involuntary change in lifestyle. Emotions, such as resistance, defensiveness and apprehension, frequently accompany these lifestyle changes. Change can be plenty frightening in and of itself, and even more so when the change is coming under threat of incarceration. These types of feelings are natural and can be managed effectively using motivational interviewing (MI) techniques.

Research has demonstrated that MI is very effective in many different types of interventions, including the supervision of criminal offenders. It has been shown to reduce the level of defensiveness over time, and when an individual is less defensive, he is more open to suggestions for change. He is also willing to view the possibilities of other lifestyles in a more positive light.

MI also helps reduce any confusion or ambiguity surrounding details of the supervision plan, and skills such as reflections make certain that all parties involved understand exactly what their roles and responsibilities entail. When properly applied, MI techniques will boost offenders' commitment to their case plans and, in turn, increase the overall effectiveness of supervision.