DFE Test Quex

You are invited to participate in this brief quiz. This quiz will ask you questions about your knowledge in using offender risk and need assessment information, desistance, motivational strategies, and the working relationship between a parole officer and parolee. The quiz will take approximately 20-25 minutes to complete.

Your responses will be strictly confidential and data from this research will be reported only in the aggregate. Your information will be coded and will remain confidential. If you have questions at any time about the quiz or the procedures, you may contact Jennifer Lerch at 701-993-4832 or [email protected].

Thank you very much for your time and support.

Please start with the survey now by clicking on the Continue button below.

I Agree

* Name

Years working as Parole Officer

Position

Age

Gender

Male

Female

What type of training have had you in the past two years? (check all that apply)

* Have you taken the desistance e-course?

Finished fewer than four modules

Finished more than four modules

Completed the course

1. Programming should target the dynamic factors related to criminal behavior.

True

False

2. Why is Risk/Need Assessment information useful in Problem Solving?

It helps identify low-risk, high need offenders, who do not need to engage in Problem Solving.

It can be used to determine offender destabilizers that might affect successful completion of parole.

It helps identify individuals with certain Risk profiles who should be revoked.

It is not useful to addressing case plan issues.

3. Problem Solving is a process in which parole officers help offenders identify the thoughts and actions that occur prior to, during, and after an offender engages in criminal activity.

True

False

4. Risk and needs assessment information results should not be shared with a parolee.

True

False

5. A high risk offender should never be thought of as a desister.

True

False

1. How can a parole 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 the costs of living a life of crime.

Ask the offender how they can reach their goals through non-criminal, pro-social strategies.

2. 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 on over the next year.

True

False

3. The movement from offender to a non-offender identity is an example of Primary Desistance.

True

False

4. Which of the following is NOT a valid strategy for helping offenders Desist?

Treating the offender like they are able to desist and are in the middle of a process of giving up crime.

Watching the offender more closely to catch them when they reoffend.

Working with the offender to find services to help them re-integrate them back into society.

Help identify and build the offender’s strengths (i.e. meaningful employment).

5. Which of the following statements about Desistance is true?

Offenders only 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 time during their life span.

None of the above

1. Which of the following is NOT related to Motivation to Change?

Completion of parole

Criminal history

Recidivism

Participation in treatment

2. Trust between the offender and the criminal justice staff is an important factor in ensuring that problem solving can occur.

True

False

3. Which of the following is part of the OARS acronym?

Open questions, affirmation, summarizing

Offender, affirmation, rehabilitation

Open questions, reflective listening, structure

Affirmation, reflective listening, rehabilitation

4. Which of the following is an example of Change Talk?

"They are not going to hire me anyway."

"I am sorry I was late for my appointment but it was all my wife’s fault."

"I never got in trouble for smoking anyway so why should I stop now."

"I heard about a new job and I am planning to talk to my boss about it."

5. Positive relationships, including relationships with a Parole Officer is an example of an external motivator for change.

True

False

1. Once a Case Plan is developed it must always be followed as written.

True

False

2. Steps to enhance case planning include: working with an offender to develop incentives, identifying long term goals, and reviewing incentives and sanctions with the offender

True

False

3. Which of the following indicates cooperation between POs and offenders?

Working with staff to establish supervision goals that the offender can do in the next month

Completing conditions of supervision

Following the rules of supervision

All of the above

4. Delivery of positive reinforcement for engaging in good behavior should NOT be:

Swift

Certain

Severe

Increased over time

5. When POs are either overly authoritative or unduly indirect, individuals are less likely to engage in criminal activity.

True

False

For the next set of questions please refer to the below case study.

Case Study 1: Tim Jones

Tim Jones is a 27 year-old offender who is currently on parole for grand theft auto and vandalism. Tim has two friends by the name of Frank and Terrence whom he grew up with. When Tim gets into trouble, he is always with Terrence and Frank, who were also convicted with auto theft and vandalism. Terrence and Frank have been involved in the criminal justice system since they were teenagers. While Tim does not have a long criminal history, this is his second time on parole and fifth overall time having contact with the criminal justice system. As a child, Tim was always a follower and hung out with the more popular kids. In middle school, Tim spent a lot time in ISS (in-school suspension). Tim spent this time in ISS because of his anger and destruction of other people’s property.

Tim’s mother and father have been married for 30 years and have been supportive of him. He has four other siblings, none of whom are in the criminal justice system. Tim is the oldest child and has always looked out for his younger siblings and encouraged them to do well. After graduating from high school, Tim married his childhood sweetheart. She is very supportive of Tim and has been encouraging him to consider exploring IT classes since Tim has an interest in computers. Tim missed his office visit with PO Williams two weeks ago.

PO Williams encounters Tim in the grocery store where Tim tells him the following story: Tim states that he has been working at his old job for the past three months, (he had been working there for two years prior to being detained after the arrest). He gets along with most of his co-workers though he doesn’t care for everybody, but there is one co-worker that calls Tim “boy’ and gives him jobs that are not part of his job description. Tim tells PO Williams that he knows where this coworker lives and he wants to go and settle the problem once and for all. PO Williams looks around and sees that Frank and Terrence are in the store with Tim.

1. Tim’s criminogenic needs include:

Missed office visit and involvement in the juvenile justice system

Criminal peers and substance abuse

Anti-social personality and criminal peers

Anti-social attitudes and criminal peers

2. Which of the following factors might be considered Stabilizers in Tim’s life?

Family support, employment, close criminal friends

Employment, secure housing and supportive family

Close friends, grocery shopping, and caring PO

Desire to return to school, wife and employment

3. Which of the following appears to be a constant problem in Tim’s life?

Criminal peers

Employment

Living in same neighborhood

Drugs

4. Which of the following factors is a Destabilizer that may negatively affect Tim’s ability to follow through on supervision requirements?

Family

Substance use

Anti-social personality

All of the above

5. How can PO Williams use this encounter to further their working relationship? (check all that apply)

PO Williams should not engage Tim because he is not on duty.

PO Williams suggests that Tim stop into the office the next day and asks him what the consequences would be if he visits his co-workers house.

PO Williams should ignore what Tim told him and just tell him if he does not show up tomorrow he will revoke his parole.

PO Williams should ask Tim if he is having a difficult time getting to the office because he missed his appointment.

For the next set of questions please refer to the below case study.

Case Study 2: John Black

John Black, age 21, is a former gang member with a history of violence and weapon charges. He was assessed as high risk using statistical scales based on an extensive criminal history and risk of violent behavior. He identified his criminogenic needs as substance abuse and associating with criminal peers. Now on parole, he has moved to his aunt’s house in the suburbs, far away from the influence of his former gang. He has started attending a GED program and is also studying to be a chef. His grades have been positive so far, and John has consistently attended his classes.

In initial interviews, John verbally stated an interest in turning his life around, saying he was sick of jail and always looking behind his back. He indicated he had a new (prosocial) girlfriend, had some part-time work, and was avoiding old criminal friends.

In the case plan they developed together John and his PO outlined the consequences for failing drug tests. The first offense would be a warning, the second offense would result in increased testing, and third time John failed a drug test would result in a parole revocation.

John has been on parole for four months. He has had a positive relationship with his PO and checks in on time. Overall, his performance has been fully satisfactory and he has not violated any parole conditions. He disclosed during today’s interview that he went to one of his friends’ birthday party on the weekend and drank two frozen drinks (he stated he later realized they were alcoholic) – a breach (confirmed with a blood test, which also tested positive for THC). He denies having smoked marijuana.

1. Which of the following factors would be considered Stabilizers in John’s life? (check all that apply)

Family support

Currently in GED program

Stable housing

All of the above

2. Which of the following factors is a Destabilizer that may negatively affect John’s ability to follow through on supervision requirements? (check all that apply)

Substance use

Lack of employment

Criminal peers

All of the above

3. Which of the following would be considered an appropriate and immediate Sanction for testing positive to THC? (check all that apply)

As per the case plan, John will have an increase in drug testing and be reminded of the consequences should this happen again.

As per the case plan, John will be issued a warning and be reminded of the consequences should this happen again.

The PO will place John into treatment and be reminded of the consequences should this happen again.

All of the above

4. When assessing the positives and negatives of the current situation, the PO should:

Provide examples of the offenders’ other problems.

Help the offender see that the positives outweigh the negatives.

Discuss strategies for dealing with problem behaviors.

All of the above

5. John appears to have a high level of Engagement. He has a positive relationship with his parole officer and he appears to be genuinely motivated to change.

True

False

The next set of questions pertain to Case Management and Monitoring.

1. To what extent do you use the following case management practices with clients on your caseload?

2. In monitoring the progress of a client on your caseload who is attending a treatment program or other service, how frequently do you typically engage in each of the following activities?

3. Please indicate the extent to which you feel comfortable in doing the following.