Expanding Wellness-Focused Data Collection to Improve Probation Outcomes

Approximately 2.9 million people in the United States are under probation supervision, a number that far exceeds those in prisons, jails, or on parole, a phenomenon some have called mass supervision. Probation officers and research on probation primarily utilize risk-assessments, focusing on an individual’s deficits, to assess probation outcomes. Criminologist Kayla Freemon will examine how the use of strength-based assessment tools impacts relationships between officers and individuals on probation and well as recidivism and wellbeing. She will conduct a randomized-control trial for her study, conduct interviews, and analyze administrative data from the Cook County Adult Probation Department for her study.