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Please read this brief informed consent statement:
RESEARCH PROCEDURES This research is being conducted to gather information which will help in further implementation of SOARING 2 in your community corrections setting. Participation in the research procedures will include a short survey (15-30 minutes) at the start of the study period, a series of training modules and quizzes (10-15 hours), and a second short survey (15-30 minutes) at the end of the study period.
RISKS The foreseeable risks or discomforts of participating in this survey research are limited. In answering the questions, you may provide information or opinions that are critical of your agency or may be viewed unfavorably by administrators, your supervisors, or fellow employees, with the small risk that this information or opinions may be seen by others. Research staff will implement procedures to reduce these risks, as described below.
BENEFITS There are no benefits to you as a participant other than to help investigators learn more about your agency and the best ways to further implement SOARING 2 in your agency.
CONFIDENTIALITY The data in this study will be kept confidential. To help protect your confidentiality your name will not be included on the survey instruments and other collected data. Instead, we will replace your name with a unique numerical code. Your responses will only be able to be linked to your identity through the use of an identification key. Only researchers from GMU will have access to the identification key. No administrators in your agency, including your supervisor, will be told about your participation in the survey. They will also not be told if you choose to not answer some survey questions or terminate your participation in the survey.
PARTICIPATION Your participation is voluntary, and you may withdraw from the study at any time and for any reason. If you decide not to participate or if you withdraw from the study, there is no penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. There are no costs to you or any other party.
CONTACT This research is being conducted by Dr. Faye S. Taxman of the Criminology, Law and Society Department at George Mason University. Dr. Taxman may be reached at 703-993-8555 or [email protected] for questions or to report a research-related problem. You may contact the George Mason University Office of Research Subject Protections at 703-993-4121 or [email protected] if you have questions or comments regarding your rights as a participant in this research. This research has been reviewed according to George Mason University procedures governing your participation in this research. The George Mason University Institutional Review Board has waived the requirement for a signature on this consent form. However, if you wish to sign a consent form, please contact Dr. Faye S. Taxman at 703-993-8555 or [email protected].
 
 
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1. REFLECTING ON YOUR WORK
Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements about your organization.
In my Organization...
Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree nor Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
a. Ideas and suggestions from staff get fair consideration by management
b. Supervisors and staff periodically meet and talk about what is working well and what isn’t to improve our performance
c. Learning new knowledge and skills and using them in your job is highly valued by supervisors
d. We systematically measure important outcomes for our office that assess our performance
e. Staff feel comfortable promoting different ideas or suggestions even if they conflict with established policy or practice
f. We have well defined performance outcomes and specific plans in place for how to achieve them
g. The formal communication channels here work very well
h. Opportunities are provided for staff to attend training or other developmental opportunities
i. Innovative actions and initiatives undertaken by staff are highly valued
j. The informal communication channels here work well
Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree nor Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
k. Staff are always kept well informed
l. Information on new or best practices is made available to staff to use in their work
m. Supervisors are open and willing to try new ideas or ways of doing things
n. Staff always feel free to ask questions and express concerns at this office
o. There is a shared understanding of the changes needed to help our office to achieve its long term objectives
p. There are discussions involving all of the staff about the vision of the office and ways to achieve it
q. Staff generally feel comfortable discussing mistakes, errors or problems with supervisors
r. Most staff here believe that they can have open discussion with supervisors about work related difficulties
s. Most staff are aware of and agree about where we should be in the future
t. When mistakes or errors are made supervisors tend to treat them as opportunities to learn rather than respond by using punishment
 
 
2. REFLECTING ON YOUR ORGANIZATION
Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements about your organization.
Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree nor Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
a. I talk up this organization to my friends as a great place to work
b. Since joining this organization, my personal values and those of the division have become more similar
c. The reason I prefer this organization to others is because of what it stands for – its values
d. My attachment to this organization is primarily based on the similarity of my values and those presented by the office
e. How hard I work for this organization is primarily based on the similarity of my values and those represented by MDPP
f. In order for me to get rewarded around here, it is necessary to express the right attitude
g. My private views about this organization are different from those I express publicly
h. Unless I am rewarded for it in some way, I see no reason to expend extra effort on behalf of this organization
i. What this organization stands for is important to me
j. If the value of the organization were different, I would not be as attached to this organization
k. I am proud to tell others that I am a part of this organization
l. I feel a sense of “ownership” for this organization rather than just being an employee
 
 
3. REFLECTING ON MANAGEMENT
Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements about your immediate supervisor.
My immediate supervisor…
Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree nor Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
a. Is able to get others to be committed to his/her vision for this office
b. Leads by “doing” rather than simply by “telling”
c. Gets people to work together for the same goal
d. Insists on only the best performance
e. Takes the time to carefully listen to and discuss people’s concerns
f. Suggests new ways of looking at how we can do our jobs
g. Gives special recognition to others’ work when it is very good
h. Provides well-defined performance goals and objectives
i. Stays well informed in what is being done in my office
j. Provides us with the necessary resources and assistance we need to get our work completed
 
 
4. WORKPLACE PRESSURES/YOUR JOB
Please indicate the extent to which you experience the following sources of stress:
Never Rarely Occasionally Sometimes Often Usually Always
a. My job duties and work objectives are unclear to me
b. I work on unnecessary tasks or projects
c. I am held accountable for the development of other employees
d. I am unclear about whom I report to and/or who reports to me
e. I get caught in the middle between my supervisors and my subordinates
f. I am responsible for counseling with my subordinates and/or helping them solve their problems
g. I lack the authority to carry out my job responsibilities
h. The formal chain of command is not adhered to
i. I take action or make decisions that affect the well-being of others
j. I do not fully understand what is expected of me
k. I do things on the job that are accepted by one person and not by others
l. My responsibilities in this organization are more for people than for things
m. I do not understand the part of my job plays in meeting overall organizational objectives
n. I receive conflicting requests from two or more people
o. I have responsibility for the future (careers) of others
 
 
5. ATTITUDES ABOUT PUNISHMENT
Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements about your organization.
The best way to reduce crime is...
Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree nor Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
a. Show people who use drugs they will be punished severely if they don’t stop
b. Make sure offenders get effective treatment for addictions and other problems while they’re in prison/jail, or on community supervision
c. Keep offenders in prison/jail and off the streets
d. Use the “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” principle
e. Deter future offenders by severely punishing criminals who are caught and convicted
f. Provide offenders with treatment to address addictions, mental health problems, or other problems
g. Make sure that the treatment provided is matched to the offender’s needs
h. Keep offenders in prison/jail where they can’t bother law abiding citizens
i. Provide more treatment, jobs, and educational programs to address problems that often contribute to crime
j. Keep drug users in prison/jail and off the streets
k. Punish addicts in prison/jail to stop them from using drugs
l. Deter future criminals by severely punishing drug users who are caught and convicted
 
 
6. COMMUNICATION
Please indicate the extent to which you feel comfortable doing the following:
Very Uncomfortable Uncomfortable Neutral Comfortable Very Comfortable
a. Praising the offender for successful completion of a task or for achieving a goal
b. Establishing or reviewing a behavioral contract
c. Reminding the offender that he/she should be more committed to change
d. Letting the offender know that they have a valid point
e. Telling the offender that they have to tell their family and/or friends about their problems
f. Asking questions that allow the offender to comment on their progress made
g. Summarizing what the offender said to allow him/her to hear their own ideas
h. Repeating the exact words that the offender said to get feedback from him/her
i. Telling the offender that he/she needs to chair their behavior or they will be violated
j. Reiterating to the offender an area that they should desire to change
Very Uncomfortable Uncomfortable Neutral Comfortable Very Comfortable
k. Working at getting the offender to discuss change
l. Exploring how the offender can strength their commitment to change
m. Indicating to the offender that what they are doing is not right
n. Helping the offender see the difference between where his/her life is and where the offender wants to be in the future
o. Asking the offender to identify different way that they could handle a difficult situation in the future
p. Telling the offender to take your advice since you have handled many problems in the past
q. Asking specific questions to avoid getting into a lengthy discussion
r. Reminding the offender that he/she is under supervision and needs to be more careful in his/her decision
 
 
7. THOUGHTS ON CHANGE
Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements:
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neither Agree nor Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
a. I’ve pretty much given up trying to make suggestions for improvements around here
b. Changes to the usual way of doing things in my office are more trouble than they are worth
c. When we try to change things here, they just seem to go from bad to worse
d. Efforts to make improvement in my office fail
e. It’s hard to be hopeful about the future because people have such bad attitudes
 
 
 
8. TRAINING TOPICS YOU DESIRE
Please select all that apply.
The following are topics for trainings I would want to attend: (Check all that apply)
 
Safety
 
Administering discipline and corresponding procedure
 
Appropriate use of social media
 
Developing Agents: report writing and other professional development skills
 
Parole Commission and the role of the agent and the FS1
 
Fostering a professional environment
 
Sex offender insights: understanding these crimes and motivations
 
FMLA, Human Resources
 
OCMS Quick Tips
 
Other
 

 
 
 
9. About You
 
 
9. a) How long have you been with the agency
YrsMonths
Years and Months at agency
 
 
9.b) How long have you been in your current position
YearsMonths
Years and Months in current position
 
 
 
9.c) How many staff do you supervise?
   
 
 
 
9. d) What type of caseload(s) does your staff supervise (Check all that apply):
 
General
 
Domestic Violence
 
Intake
 
Interstate
 
Sex Offenders
 
VPI

 
 
 
9.d.2) What type of General Case Load do you Supervise? (Check all that apply)
 
Low/Low Moderate
 
Moderate
 
High

 
 
 
9.e) What is your highest level of education?
 
High school
 
Associate Degree
 
B.A./B.S.
 
Some graduate studies
 
MBA/Masters
 
J.D.
 
Ph.D/Ed.D
 
M.D.
 
Other (specify)
 
 
 
 
9.f) In what field did you receive your highest degree? (Check one)
 
Business
 
Criminal Justice
 
Law
 
Medicine
 
Psychology
 
Sociology
 
Social Work
 
Political Science
 
Other (Specify)
 
 
 
 
9.g) Select your gender
 
Male
 
Female
 
 
 
9. h) Birth Year
 
 
 
9.i) Please identify your ethnicity (Check all that apply)?
 
American Indian/Alaska Native
 
Asian/Pacific Islander
 
Black of African-American
 
Hispanic/Latino
 
Middle Eastern
 
White
 
Other (specify)
 

 
 
 
9. j) Do you live in the same county in which you work?
 
No
 
Yes
 
 
 
9. k) Do you feel a part of the community in which you work?
 
No
 
Yes
 
 
 
9. l) Did you select your place of residence based upon the population you supervise?
 
No
 
Yes, it was part of my decision
 
Yes, it was the main reason
 
 
 
9. m) Do you feel nervous or apprehensive to see the offenders you supervise in your community?
 
Never
 
Sometimes
 
Always
 
 
 
Concept Section
 
 
10. PROBATION CONCEPTS (TRUE/FALSE)
The following section consists of questions that gauge your knowledge of criminal justice concepts. Please select the best answer.
True False Don't Know
a. Static risk is based on historical elements of an individual’s criminal history and can increase over time
b. When assessing static risk, all criminal history factors are weighed equally
c. Criminal history, number of times on probation, and current age are examples of static risk factors
d. Criminogenic need is a component of risk
e. Self-control is unrelated to risk
f. Associating with friends who participate in criminal behavior is an example of a criminogenic need
g. Responsivity is unrelated to the concepts of risk and need
h. The effects of stabilizers are the same for everyone
i. Destabilizers are factors that make it easier for an offender to focus and benefit from treatment programming
j. Frequency of alcohol use is the only important factor in determining whether a person has alcohol dependence
True False Don't Know
k. Treatment readiness can only increase over time
l. An ambivalent offender only has negative perceptions of treatment
m. When agents are either overly authoritative or unduly direct, individuals are less likely to engage
n. Mandated treatment is more effective than voluntary treatment
o. The risk and need assessment and offender contact information are the only components that should be included in the case plan
p. Target behaviors are long-term goals for the offender to lead a crime- and drug-free lifestyle
q. Target behaviors should be described in broad language
r. Cultural competency impairs a systems ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural situation
s. Once a case plan is developed it must always be followed as written
t. Problem solving is a process in which probation officers help offenders to identify the thoughts and actions that occur prior to, during, and after an offender engages in criminal activity
True False Don't Know
u. One of the benefits of problem solving is that it encourages offenders to ignore consequences
v. An identified problem should be linked to any situation impacting an offender’s life
w. A decision grid should be used as a problem solving tool only to highlight the negative consequences of current behavior
x. Crime desistance is when an offender stops their criminal behavior
y. Recurring problems are generally related to static risk factors that continue to negatively impact an offender
z. All offenders desist from crime at some point during their life span
aa. Only offenders who are confident and clear about how to stay crime-free are ready to start desisting from crime
bb. Desistance factors (strengths) are often destabilizers that do not insulate an offender from engaging in crime
cc. To desist from crime, offenders simply need to reduce their need factors
dd. When attempting to introduce new stabilizers into an offender’s life, it is most helpful to set out a plan for what stabilizers should be built over the next year
 
 
 
11. PROBATION CONCEPTS (MULTIPLE CHOICE)
Please mark the choice(s) you feel best answers the question. Some questions may have more than one answer
 
 
 
11.ee) Which of the following is true about static risk factors?
 
They are static and don’t change
 
They are based on past behavior
 
They help to predict an offenders potential to reoffend
 
All of the above

 
 
 
11.ff) Which of the following items are static risk factors?
 
Criminal history, number of times on probation, and current age
 
Age at first arrest, number of prior arrests, and severity of current arrest
 
Number of times on probation, number of probation violations, and number of prior arrests
 
Type of criminal history, number of probation revocations, and drug use

 
 
 
11. gg) Which of the following items is NOT a static risk factor?
 
Substance abuse
 
Number of prior arrests
 
Age at time of first arrest
 
Number of times on probation

 
 
 
11. hh) Criminogenic needs…
 
Include historical factors such as age at first arrest
 
Tend to increase the likelihood that an offender will reoffend
 
Cannot change over time

 
 
 
11.ii) Which of the following is NOT a criminogenic need?
 
Criminal peers
 
Substance abuse
 
Dysfunctional family
 
History of criminal behavior

 
 
 
11. jj) The need principle states that interventions should target ___ related to criminal behavior
 
Criminogenic needs
 
Static risk
 
Antisocial behaviors
 
All of the above

 
 
 
11. kk) Responsivity involves consideration of which of the following factors?
 
Age at first arrest
 
Substance use
 
Literacy
 
All of the above

 
 
 
11.ll) Mental health history is a…
 
Destabilizing factor
 
Static risk factor
 
Stabilizing factor
 
None of the above

 
 
 
11. mm) Drug abuse…
 
Is a static risk factor
 
Is the same as drug dependence
 
Negatively influences a person’s ability to make good decisions
 
All of the above

 
 
 
11. nn) Which of the following is NOT related to offenders’ motivation to change?
 
Completion of probation
 
Criminal history
 
Recidivism
 
Participation in treatment

 
 
 
11. oo) Which of the following is NOT a principle of motivational interviewing?
 
Treatment readiness and motivation to change are not offender traits
 
It is the probation agent’s job to articulate and resolve the offender’s ambivalence
 
Direct persuasion is not an effective method for resolving ambivalence
 
Trust between the offender and the criminal justice staff is an important factor in developing Motivation to Change

 
 
 
11. pp) Which of the following indicate cooperation?
 
Completing conditions of supervision
 
Working with correctional staff to establish supervision goals
 
Following the rules of supervision
 
All of the above

 
 
 
11. qq) Which of the following should NOT be incorporated into a case plan?
 
Special conditions imposed by the court
 
Target behaviors
 
Current offense
 
The offender’s interests

 
 
 
11. rr) Which of the following would be an appropriate Target Behavior for the long-term goal of sobriety?
 
Submit a clean urine test to the PO twice per week
 
Go to three anger management sessions per week
 
Stay drug-free
 
Submit five job applications

 
 
 
11. ss) Which of the following is an example of an internal control?
 
Curfew
 
Sense of responsibility to others
 
Probation Agent
 
Drug addiction

 
 
 
11. tt) Which of the following is NOT a gender-related issue that should be addressed in case planning?
 
Unique health issues
 
Trauma
 
Parental role
 
Language

 
 
 
11. uu) What is NOT true about case plans?
 
Only the offender should sign the case plan
 
The case plan should define consequences for the offender’s actions
 
The case plan should be comprehensive strategy to manage risk
 
All of the above

 
 
 
11. vv) When defining a problem, an offender and probation agent should first…
 
List as many problems as possible
 
Determine if the problem exists and is real
 
Prioritize the problem
 
Make sure the offender feels the problem is a priority

 
 
 
11. ww) When identifying alternative options and solutions, correctional staff should…
 
Help the offender examine potential short-term outcomes
 
Identify the offender’s real problems
 
Help the offender weigh the positives and negatives of engaging in problem behavior
 
Outline the steps necessary for the offender to achieve their goals

 
 
 
11. xx) When assessing the positives and negatives of a situation, the probation agent should…
 
Provide examples of other offender’s problems
 
Help the offender see that the negatives outweigh the positives
 
Discuss strategies for dealing with problem behaviors
 
All of the above

 
 
 
11. yy) Reviewing the offender’s Risk/Need Assessment is part of which step of the problem solving process?
 
Identifying the triggers that affect the circumstances of the problem
 
Identifying the goal
 
Identifying alternative options and solutions for achieving the goal
 
Assessing circumstances that cause the offenders current situation

 
 
 
11. zz) Delivery of the positive reinforcement for engaging in good behavior should not be…
 
Swift
 
Certain
 
Severe
 
Increased over time

 
 
 
11. aaa) Which of the following statements about Desistance is true?
 
Offenders always desist from crime when they get older
 
Desistance occurs as an immediate event, when the offender decides not to engage in crime
 
The majority of offenders desist from crime at some point during their life span
 
None of the above

 
 
 
11. bbb) Which of the following is NOT a factor related to desistance?
 
Believing that the probation agent has the offender’s best interest at heart
 
Developing enduring supports in life
 
Building connections in the community
 
Wanting to invest in life with more maturity

 
 
 
11. ccc) How can a probation agent help an offender visualize the benefits of being ex-offender?
 
Let the offender try to stay crime-free on their own and point out the consequences of failure
 
Remind the offender of the consequences of returning to crime
 
Ask the offender about how crime has affect their life in a negative way
 
Ask the offender about how they can reach their goals through non-criminal, prosocial strategies