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  5. Baseline Survey (revised 12.17.13)
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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) and a pretest (20-30 minutes) at the start of the study period, a series of training modules and quizzes (10-15 hours), and a second short survey (30-45 minutes) at the end of the study period. Administrative data will also be collected to gather information regarding the offenders under your supervision. Additionally, staff may be observed by study coaches throughout 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
Benefits to probation officers within participating offices include valuable training on skills associated with using evidence-based practices for the effective management of offenders. Participating agencies will also be introduced to e-learning as a cost-efficient method of providing knowledge and skills to staff members. From a larger perspective, this study will benefit the field of criminal justice by providing proven, cost-effective methods of providing probation officers and other justice staff with evidence-based skills and knowledge. It will illustrate the impact of these new skills on offender outcomes.

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 Human Subjects 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].
 
 
1. 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 review a behavioral contract for services/control.
c. Reminding the offender that they 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 them to hear their own ideas.
h. Repeating the exact words that the offender said to get feedback from them.

i. Telling the offender that they need to change 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
Working at getting the offender to discuss change.
Exploring how the offender can strengthen their commitment to change.
Indicating to the offender that what they are doing is not right.
Helping the offender see the difference between where their life is and where the offender wants to be in the future.
Asking the offender to identify different ways that they could handle a difficult situation in the future.
Telling the offender to take your advice since you have handled many problems in the past.
Asking only specific questions to avoid getting into a lengthy discussion.
Reminding the offender that they are under supervision and need to be more careful in their decisions.
 
 
2. 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. We should show people who use drugs they will be punished severely if they don’t stop.

b. We should make sure criminals get effective treatment for addictions and other problems while they’re in prison/jail, or on supervision in the community.
c. We should keep criminals in prison/jail and off the streets.

d. We should use the “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” principle.
e. We should deter future offenders by severely punishing criminals who are caught and convicted.
f. We should provide criminals with treatment to address addiction, mental health, or other problems.
g. We should make sure that the treatment provided is matched to the offender’s needs.
h. We should keep criminals in prison/jail to prevent them from committing new crimes.
i. We should provide more treatment, jobs, and educational programs in a correctional setting to address problems that often contribute to crime.
j. We should keep drug users in prison/jail and off the streets.

k. We should punish addicts to stop them from using drugs.

 
 
3. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements about your organization.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Undecided 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 agency have become more similar.
c. The reason I prefer this organization to others is because of what it stands for; that is, its values.
d. My attachment to this organization is primarily based on the similarity of my values and those represented by the office.
e. How hard I work for this organization is directly linked to how much I am rewarded.
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 values 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.
 
 
4. Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about the condition and functioning of your community corrections office.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Undecided Agree Strongly Agree
a. We have few difficulties in adequately staffing our office.
b. We have funding available to introduce new programs and/or initiatives if they are needed.
c. We have had to cut or significantly reduce programs and/or services due to funding constraints.
d. We have enough staff to meet the needs of this office.
e. We have trouble retaining highly competent staff.
f. Our staff frequently say that they are overworked and/or don’t have enough time to get done what they need to do.
g. Our staff lacks access to the training and development programs they need.
h. Our staff integrates new knowledge and techniques into their work to improve the way in which services are provided.
i. Our staff stays current with new techniques that relate to their jobs.
j. The training and development programs for our staff are of very high quality.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Undecided Agree Strongly Agree
Attending training and development programs is made a priority for our staff.
We would significantly expand/enhance certain programs and/or services if funding were available.
Our offices are designed to meet the specific needs of most of the important services and programs we run.
Our offices are well maintained and are kept fully functional.
We have the necessary physical space for the services and programs we run.
We have computers and information technology tools/resources to efficiently access offender records.
Our staff feels very comfortable using computers and information technology tools to do their jobs.
Our staff lacks the computer skills necessary to proficiently access offender records.
We regularly integrate new services, programs, and/or initiatives into our office operations.
Our programs, services, and/or initiatives are designed to address multiple offender needs.
We have a high level of coordination across units and/or departments when it comes to delivering services and programs to offenders.
We have significant challenges in generating the necessary political support for important priorities, new programs, and/or initiatives for offenders.
We have the support we need from communities for important priorities, new programs, and/or initiatives for offenders.
We have extensive collaborations/partnerships with external groups (e.g. outside service providers) that facilitate important priorities, new programs, and/or initiatives for offenders.
 
 
5. Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about the conditions and functioning of your community corrections office.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Undecided Agree Strongly Agree
a. Ideas and suggestions from employees get fair consideration by management.
b. Managers 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 and managers.
d. We systematically measure important outcomes for this 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 very well.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Undecided Agree Strongly Agree
Employees are always kept well informed.
Information on new or best practices is made available to staff to use in their work.
Managers are open and willing to try new ideas or ways of doing things.
Employees always feel free to ask questions and express concerns in this facility.
There is a shared understanding of the changes needed to help our prison to achieve its long-term objectives.
There are discussions involving all of the staff about the vision of the office and ways to achieve it.
Staff generally feel comfortable discussing mistakes, errors, or problems with supervisors and managers.
Most staff here believe that they can have open discussions with supervisors and managers about work-related difficulties or problems.
Most staff are aware of and agree about where we should be in the future.
When mistakes or errors are made, managers tend to treat them as opportunities to learn rather than respond by using punishment.
 
 
6. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements about efforts to make changes in your community corrections office.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Undecided 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 at this 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 improvements in this office usually fail.
e. It’s hard to be hopeful about the future because people have such bad attitudes.
 
 
7. To what extent do you employ each of the following procedures in referring and monitoring clients on your caseload to non-residential treatment or services?
Never Some of the time About half the time Most of the time Always
a. Schedule a specific date/time for the client’s initial appointment with service/program.
b. Discuss with the client what to expect at initial admission to program (e.g., paperwork needed, who client will meet with, how to behave, etc.).
c. Accompany client to admission/intake appointment.
d. Establish a schedule with the service provider to report the client’s progress and attendance in the program/service.
e. Talk or meet in a 3-way conversation with client and service provider.
f. Client returns and submits a slip to me or other documentation of attending program/service.
 
 
8. To what extent do you use the following case management practices with clients on your caseload?
Never Some of the time About half the time Most of the time Always
a. Provide the client with a written plan that includes rules and conditions of supervision and addresses their criminogenic needs.

b. Review the written plan with the client.
c. Client signs a written copy of plan.
d. Graduated sanctions.
e. Graduated incentives.
 
 
 
9. What are your primary job responsibilities (select all that apply)?
 
Conduct searches on offender's person
 
Assess appropriate services for offenders
 
Provide resources to help offenders find work
 
Conduct home visits
 
Conduct searches of the offender's home
 
Serve as a role model for good conduct
 
Encourage offenders to discuss challenges faced at work
 
Complete state mandated paperwork
 
Discipline offenders
 
Encourage offenders to get a job
 
Encourage offenders to discuss challenges faced at home
 
Other
 

 
 
 
Face-to-face meetings with offenders
   
Looking up information in records (e.g., assessments, warrants, etc.)
   
Court-related activities
   
Contacting service providers
   
Staff meetings
   
Trainings
   
Supervising/mentoring other officers
   
Other
   
 
 
11. How frequently do you typically speak to an offender about the following:
Not at all Occasionally (1-2 times a month) Once a week Several times a week Every day
a. Their attendance on a job.
b. An argument with their work supervisor/co-workers.
c. An argument with family member.
d. Their employment plans (if seeking employment).
e. Wearing proper clothing to the probation office.
f. Their education plans.
g. Completing a task given by an officer.
h. Their desire for any programming or services.
i. How to improve future job interviews.
 
 
12. Please indicate the degree to which you agree or disagree with the following statements.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neither Agree nor Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
I can effectively link offenders' life problems to managing criminogenic needs.
I encourage offenders to be involved in creating their case plan.
I can effectively establish a rapport with offenders.
I help offenders build their motivation to change.
I tell the offenders I work with that they can change and maintain a crime-free lifestyle.
I develop action plans with my offenders, including target behaviors to address.
I help offenders build problem-solving skills.
I help the offenders on my caseload to identify realistic, non-offending strategies to attain goals.
I respond appropriately to offender ambivalence and/or roll with resistance.
I demonstrate a firm but fair supervision style when working with offenders.
 
 
13. Please indicate the degree to which you agree or disagree with the following statements.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neither Agree nor Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
I look forward to training on new skills. .
I always approach training with an expectation to learn something new.
I only go to trainings because it is required by my agency.
I attend trainings to earn credits, not to learn new information or skills.
My organization emphasizes the importance of training to learn new skills.
Trainings are a great way to learn new skills that I can use on the job.
I never have time to use new skills I have learned in training on the job.
Using new skills learned in training is not a priority in my agency.
My supervisor is supportive of me using new skills learned in training on the job.
I look for ways to integrate new skills I have learned in training into my day-to-day job activities.
 
 
 
14. What other trainings or new practices is your agency currently implementing or participating in?
   
 
 
 
15. What do you hope to learn from this training?
   
 
 
 
16. How would you describe yourself (select all that apply)?
 
White/Caucasian
 
Hispanic/Latino
 
American Indian/Alaska Native
 
Black/African-American
 
Asian/Pacific Islander
 
Other
 

 
 
 
17. What is your age?
   
 
 
 
18. What is your gender?
 
Male
 
Female
 
 
 
19. What is your job title?
   
 
 
 
20. Do you work in a special unit?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
If yes, please specify:
   
 
 
 
21. How long have you worked for the department?
   
 
 
 
22. What is the highest academic degree you hold?
HS Diploma Associates Bachelors Masters GED Other  
 
 
 
23. Do you hold any professional credentials, certifications, or licenses?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
If yes, please specify:
   
 
 
 
24. What is your typical caseload size?
   
 
 
 
25. Static Risk is based on historical elements of an individual's criminal history and can only increase over time.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
26. 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 offender's potential to reoffend.
 
All of the above.
 
 
 
27. When assessing Static Risk, all criminal history factors are weighed equally.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
28. Criminal history, number of times on probation, and current age are examples of Static Risk factors.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
29. 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.
 
 
 
30. 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
 
 
 
31. Criminogenic Need is a component of Risk
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
32. 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.
 
 
 
33. Which of the following is NOT a Criminogenic Need?
 
Criminal peers
 
Substance abuse
 
Dysfunctional family
 
History of criminal behavior
 
 
 
34. Self-control is unrelated to Risk.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
35. Associating with friends who participate in criminal behavior is an example of a Criminogenic Need.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
36. The Need Principle states that interventions should target ______ related to criminal behavior.
 
Criminogenic needs
 
Static risk
 
Antisocial behaviors
 
All of the above
 
 
 
37. Responsivity is unrelated to the concepts of Risk and Need.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
38. Responsivity involves consideration of which of the following factors?
 
Age at first arrest
 
Substance use
 
Literacy
 
All of the above
 
 
 
39. 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 offender's potential to reoffend.
 
All of the above.
 
 
 
40. The effects of Stabilizers are the same for everyone.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
41. Destabilizers are factors that make it easier for an offender to focus and benefit from treatment programming and controls.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
42. Mental health history is a...
 
destabilizing factor.
 
static risk factor.
 
stabilizing factor
 
None of the above.
 
 
 
43. 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.
 
 
 
44. Frequency of alcohol use is the only important factor in determining whether a person has alcohol dependence.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
45. Which of the following is NOT related to an offender's Motivation to Change?
 
Completion of probation
 
Criminal history
 
Recidivism
 
Participation in treatment
 
 
 
46. Treatment Readiness can only increase over time.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
47. An Ambivalent offender only has negative perceptions of treatment.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
48. 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 officer'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.
 
 
 
49. When probation officers are either overly authoritative or unduly direct, individuals are less likely to engage in criminal activity.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
50. Which of the following indicates cooperation?
 
Completing conditions of supervision.
 
Working with correctional staff to establish supervision goals.
 
Following the rules of supervision.
 
All of the above.
 
 
 
51. Mandated treatment is more effective than voluntary treatment.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
52. The purpose of Decisional Balance techniques are to...
 
emphasize that the consequences of the action (crime) outweigh the perceived benefits.
 
identify an individual's Static Risk factors and Criminogenic Needs.
 
determine which criminal behavior will result in the greatest reward.
 
None of the above.
 
 
 
53. Minimizing actions, justifying actions, and shifting responsibility are all examples of...
 
situational barriers to change.
 
attitudinal barriers to change.
 
prosocial supports.
 
a behavioral chain.
 
 
 
54. If an offender is unable to identify the cost of engaging in crime through Decisional Balance, what other skills can you use to help them?
 
Explore their Ambivalence to change.
 
Review their Behavioral (Offense) Chain.
 
Review their Risk/Need Assessment.
 
All of the above.
 
None of the above.
 
 
 
55. The risk and need assessment and offender contact information are the only components that should be included in the case plan.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
56. 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.
 
 
 
57. Target Behaviors are long-term goals for the offender to lead a crime- and drug-free lifestyle.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
58. Target Behaviors should be described in broad language.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
59. 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.
 
 
 
60. Which of the following is an example of an Internal Control?
 
Curfew.
 
Sense of responsibility to others.
 
Probation officer.
 
Drug addiction.
 
 
 
61. Which of the following is NOT a gender-related issue that should be addressed n Case Planning?
 
Unique health issues
 
Trauma
 
Parental role
 
Language
 
 
 
62. Cultural Competency impairs a system's ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural situation.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
63. Once a Case Plan is developed it must always be followed as written.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
64. 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 a comprehensive strategy to manage risk.
 
All of the above.
 
 
 
65. 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
 
 
 
66. One of the benefits of Problem Solving is that it encourages offenders to ignore consequences.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
67. An identified problem should be linked to any situation impacting an offender's life.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
68. When defining a problem, an offender and probation officer 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,
 
 
 
69. 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.
 
 
 
70. When assessing the positives and negatives of a situation, the probation officer 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.
 
 
 
71. 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 offender's current situation.
 
 
 
72. A Decision Grid should be used as a Problem Solving Tool only to highlight the negative consequences of current behavior.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
73. Recurring problems are generally related to static risk factors that continue to negatively impact an offender.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
74. Delivery of the positive reinforcement for engaging in good behavior should NOT be...
 
swift.
 
certain.
 
severe.
 
increased over time.
 
 
 
75. Crime Desistance is when an offender stops their criminal behavior.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
76. All offenders Desist from crime at some point during their life span.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
77. Only offenders who are confident and clear about how to stay crime-free are ready to start Desisting from crime.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
78. 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.
 
 
 
79. Which of the following is NOT a factor related to Desistance?
 
Believing that the probation officer has the offender's best interests at heart.
 
Developing enduring supports in life.
 
Building connections in the community.
 
Wanting to invest in life with more maturity.
 
 
 
80. Desistance factors (strengths) are often destabilizers that do not insulate an offender from engaging in crime.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
81. To desist from crime, offenders simply need to reduce their need factors.
 
True
 
False
 
 
 
82. How can a probation officer help an offender visualize the benefits of being an 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 affected their life in a negative way.
 
Ask the offender about how they can reach their goals through non-criminal, prosocial strategies.
 
 
 
83. Oscar says he does not want to return to prison and asks his supervision officer for help to stay crime-free. What is an example of an External Stabilizer his supervision officer can facilitate?
 
Help Oscar think through his decision grid.
 
Specify the rewards and consequences that will be in place for the duration of supervision.
 
Use questions to help Oscar see positive Strengths in his life.
 
Make sure supervision meetings are positive, encouraging, and consistent.
 
 
 
84. 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.
 
True
 
False
 
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