Gender-based training and its effects on probation/parole officer-client relationships
Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Until recent decades, men offenders have been the primary focus when developing criminal justice programs. This has also been the case for the training probation/parole officers complete. Since 2003, many states have introduced gender-based training for probation/parole officers who work with women. Using survey data collected from probation/parole officers and their women clients from 16 Michigan counties, this study aims to answer two questions: (1) how does gender-based training and experience of parole/probation officers affect their clients’ trust and feeling understood by their PO? (2) how do clients’ perceptions of being understood and trust in parole/probation officers differ from POs’ intended relationship with their clients? Findings show that gender-based training does not increase trust or understanding within a PO-client relationship from either side’s perspective. The only exception was that probation/parole officers who went through one day of gender-based training were less likely to perceive their clients as trusting them. This could reflect that while POs are aware of the unique issues that women involved in the criminal justice system, they do not have enough training to adopt that knowledge into their supervisory style. This lack of significant findings could be due to the relatively small sample size, making it so more robust findings do not emerge. This study reveals that there is a need for more effective gender-based training for probation/parole officers which would not only foster more positive PO-client relationships, but also lead to lower recidivism rates for clients re-entering the community.
Description
Keywords
Gender-based training, Probation/parole, Criminal justice programs, Probation officers