How has the concept of supervision changed over the past century? What factors have brought about these changes?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The casework model was used from 1900 to 1970. It was oriented toward casework, providing therapeutic services to probationers or parolees (often referred to as clients) to assist them in living productively in the community. The literature of probation and parole supervision during this period was replete with medical and psychiatric terminology, such as treatment and diagnosis, and treatment plans were developed with the goal of rehabilitation. The service brokerage model emerged in about 1970 and was used for the following decade. Many services were needed by probationers and parolees that could be more readily and effectively provided by specialized community agencies that provide mental health, employment, housing, education, private welfare, and other services. The "service broker" type of probation or parole officer attempts to determine the needs of the probationer or parolee and locates and refers the client to the appropriate community agency. The justice model emerged after 1980 and remained the primary model through 2000. It advocates an escalated system of sanctions corresponding to the social harm resulting from the offense and the offender's culpability. The justice model regards a sentence of probation not as an alternative to imprisonment but as a valid sanction in itself. The move from the treatment-oriented model was precipitated by research showing that it was not working effectively in many cases. The service brokerage model was thought to bring in the expertise of the entire community and give the probation officer more time to supervise the offender's compliance with all of the conditions of probation. However, as the just deserts philosophy was accepted by the American population, the justice model emerged and remains popular with much of the public because it is viewed as being more punitive and more concerned with the social harm resulting from the offender's act.