Adaptation and accountability

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for probation and parole agencies across the United States. As a result, the daily work of probation and parole officers (PPOs) was disrupted. Studies have revealed substantial obstacles in holding non-compliant individuals accountable. Few studies examined the pattern of violation and revocation processes throughout the pandemic. The current study seeks to address this gap by examining trends and predictors of changes in the filing of technical violations and motions to revoke over time. Using survey data collected from three time points during the pandemic, we identified a possible cumulative effect of the pandemic over time on the frequency of filing technical violations and motions to revoke. Jail population rate was associated with the frequency of filing both technical violations and motions to revoke. The number of COVID-19 policies implemented, and incoming court cases was associated with the frequency of filing technical violations, while the average caseload size was associated with the frequency of filing motions to revoke. Findings have implications for agency policies, particularly surrounding the reliance on external agencies to hold individuals under supervision accountable.