I. Information Tools

Supervision thrives on information and wilts without it. A strong blend of human contacts and technological monitoring offers the most complete picture of offender behavior, and thus the best foundation for the supervision plan and the maximum opportunity for behavior change.

In most supervision agencies, the level of supervision is defined in large part by how often staff must have contact with offenders. Standard supervision might require face-to-face contact once or twice per month. Intensive supervision for high-risk offenders usually requires meetings once per week or more, while offenders on administrative supervision provide paperwork but often do not see staff at all. Each offender's level of supervision is set by an initial assessment to match his specific level of risk. As an offender moves through the stages of change, the level and type of supervision required are likely to change as well.

Under the behavior management model, supervision levels are characterized by the deployment of information tools in addition to the frequency of staff-offender contacts. This allows staff to fine-tune the level of supervision and the volume and type of information collected about each offender. An offender under intensive supervision might be required to check in to the probation office frequently and also submit to drug testing and an electronic monitoring system that confirms he is home at night. Another offender might be on intensive supervision as well, but not under drug testing or electronic monitoring.