The RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice is pleased to announce the release of the Probation System Review Guidebook, 2nd Edition written by John A. Tuell and Kari L. Harp. Since the first edition was released in 2011, the RFK National Resource Center has continued to expand the scope and breadth of the Probation System Review process, resulting in further advances and refinement to the review framework. The current review structure includes the analysis of four updated key elements: Administration, Probation Supervision, Intra- and Interagency Work Processes and Quality Assurance. These advances have occurred in partnership with an ever-growing cadre of jurisdictions who have partnered with the RFK National Resource Center to undertake the Probation System Review.
Through the proliferation of these reviews, new tools and resources have been developed to better assist jurisdictions in a review of their probation department and juvenile justice system. The 2nd edition of the Guidebook seeks to provide jurisdictions, whether independently or with the facilitation offered through a RFK National Resource Center on-site review, with the tools and analytical framework that will guide the alignment of their practices with national best practice standards. Based on the on up-to-date and relevant research on adolescent development, risks-needs-responsivity approaches, probation supervision, graduated system of responses, family engagement and data-driven decision making, the 2nd edition of the Guidebook aligns its approaches with the most current advances in the field.
Professionals familiar with the 1st edition of the Guidebook will find value in the additional tools and resources that support their on-going quality assurance efforts. Jurisdictions hearing about the Probation System Review process for the first time will receive an improved understanding of how the process can be utilized in part or as a whole to ensure their probation system is staying current with the field while simultaneously achieving successful youth and system outcomes. The RFK National Resource Center welcomes inquiries from jurisdictions on how they can utilize the Guidebook most effectively and/or how the RFK National Resource Center can provide tailored system assessment and review support to meet the unique needs of your state or jurisdiction.
Probation System Review Guidebook, 2nd Edition – Available Online:
https://rfknrcjj.org/resources/probation-system-reform/