Research and Evaluation in Justice Systems, Multi Jurisdiction Research on Automated Reporting Systems: Kiosk Supervision, 2012-2015 [United States] (ICPSR 36311)

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Study Purpose View help for Study Purpose

The overall purpose of this research is to expand and strengthen the evidence base on kiosk reporting systems used to supervise probationers and parolees. The research collected and analyzed information on the prevalence of kiosk reporting, implementation experience of adopters of this approach, and outcomes and costs associated with use of kiosk reporting. In addition to enhancing the evidence base, the research findings informed the development of a practical guidebook on adoption and implementation that will help community supervision agencies to make knowledgeable decisions about kiosk reporting.

Study Design View help for Study Design

Screener Dataset

The study administered the screener instrument by telephone between August 2012 and December 2012. A letter was mailed to agencies informing it of the study's purpose and providing advance notice that the agency would be contacted by telephone about participating in an interview.

This collection used a two-step procedure to identify study participants. This modified list included 669 probation and parole agencies in five regions across the United States. The national sampling frame was expanded to incorporate additional agencies that had knowledge about the use of kiosk reporting.

Outcome Data for Site 1, Dataset 1

The county probation department identified low risk clients by administering the Wisconsin Risk/Needs Scales at intake. In addition to low risk status, certain crimes made individuals ineligible for kiosk participation: a criminal history during the last 5 years that included murder, vehicular homicide, aggravated or other assault offenses, arson, intoxicated assault with a vehicle, intoxicated manslaughter with a vehicle, kidnapping, weapons offenses, domestic violence, violation of protective order offenses, DWI offenses, sexual offenses, and any offenses regarding children (e.g., enticing, harboring, indecency, injury, kidnapping, incest, abandonment, endangerment, child pornography). Clients with at least 6 months left on their probation term who had satisfactory urinalysis results were eligible.

The county probation department housed kiosk machines in five offices, with an attendant available at each location. Kiosks were available on weekdays (7 AM - 6 PM). Kiosk users were instructed to report one time per month on a day of their choice. Upon reporting, each client entered a unique identifier, and, after biometric identification (a hand scanner) was used to confirm the client's identity, answered routine questions in English or Spanish regarding changes in contact information, employment, law enforcement contact, and whether the client had any important issues to discuss with an officer. Clients in the officer group saw a probation officer once each month.

Outcome Data for Site 1, Dataset 2

The county probation department identified low risk clients by administering the Wisconsin Risk/Needs Scales at intake. In addition to low risk status, certain crimes made individuals ineligible for kiosk participation: a criminal history during the last 5 years that included murder, vehicular homicide, aggravated or other assault offenses, arson, intoxicated assault with a vehicle, intoxicated manslaughter with a vehicle, kidnapping, weapons offenses, domestic violence, violation of protective order offenses, DWI offenses, sexual offenses, and any offenses regarding children (e.g., enticing, harboring, indecency, injury, kidnapping, incest, abandonment, endangerment, child pornography). Clients with at least 6 months left on their probation term who had satisfactory urinalysis results were eligible.

The county probation department housed kiosk machines in five offices, with an attendant available at each location. Kiosks were available on weekdays (7 AM - 6 PM). Kiosk users were instructed to report one time per month on a day of their choice. Upon reporting, each client entered a unique identifier, and, after biometric identification (a hand scanner) was used to confirm the client's identity, answered routine questions in English or Spanish regarding changes in contact information, employment, law enforcement contact, and whether the client had any important issues to discuss with an officer. Clients in the officer group saw a probation officer once each month.

Outcome Dataset for Site 3

The county probation department identified low risk clients using the Level of Service Inventory-Revised Screening Version at initial assessment, at intake, or during supervision. Clients who were initially screened as low risk and those who were initially at medium or high risk but later found to be low risk were eligible. Kiosk users watched a 20-minute video orientation and then had the opportunity to ask an officer questions about kiosk use. The county probation department housed two to five kiosk machines in each of five offices, with an attendant available at each location. Kiosks were available during business hours (M-F, 9 AM - 5 PM) with some extended evening hours.

Kiosk users were instructed to report one time a month during the week of their birthdate. Upon reporting, each client entered a unique identifier; and, after biometric identification (a hand scanner) was used to confirm the client's identity, answered routine questions regarding changes in contact information, employment, law enforcement contact, and education or training program and whether the client had any important issues to discuss with an officer. Officers could leave standard and customized messages for a client (e.g., to see the attendant or to show proof of address).

IVR participants, who met the same eligibility criteria, were directed to call in monthly on a specified date. Upon calling, each IVR client entered a unique identifier, and, after biometric identification via voice recognition software, responded to the same questions as kiosk users. IVR clients who failed to report on the specified date were automatically called up to five times by the IVR system to remind them to report. Finally, IVR clients were directed to call a toll-free phone number if they required assistance from an officer.

Coded Interview Dataset

The study developed and used six open-ended, semi-structured instruments that were specific to the role of the interviewee: agency director, probation officer, kiosk technician, kiosk purchasing agent, and financial officer. The site-visit interview questions were tailored to build on the information gathered during the in-depth telephone interviews and avoid redundancy.

After obtaining permission for each visit, study staff requested time to meet with specific staff members identified as the most knowledgeable about the agency's use of kiosk reporting. The five 1 to 2 day site visits occurred between May 2013 and January 2014. They provided an opportunity to tour agency facilities, observe daily operations, and conduct 28 in-person interviews with key staff.

Following preliminary cost analysis of data collected during site visits, the study contacted each site by email and telephone to request additional cost information and clarification on cost data provided during site visits. The initial email included follow-up questions and an invitation for sites to respond via email or by telephone at a time most convenient for them. Study staff collected supplemental cost data from all five sites.

Sample View help for Sample

Screener Dataset

A brief 5-minute telephone interview was administered to a national sampling frame of probation and parole agencies (n=492) between August and December 2012. The agencies interviewed are categorized into one of four groups:

• Current users of reporting kiosks
• Former users of reporting kiosks
• Seriously considered reporting kiosks
• Never used or considered kiosks

Outcome Data for Site 1, Dataset 1

Eligible probationers were assigned on a rolling basis to the kiosk (n=326) and officer supervision (n=130) groups between December 2011 and January 2014, based on the availability of slots in each group. Eligible individuals had more than 6 months remaining on probation, did not have a history of DWI, and had not committed violent offenses in the preceding 5-year period. In addition, their scores on the Wisconsin Risk/Needs Scales placed them in the minimum risk and minimum needs categories.

Eligible individuals who were receiving supervision in the jurisdiction but had been adjudicated in another county (n=198), were not included because comparable violations data were not available.

Outcome Data for Site 1, Dataset 2

The kiosk group (n=787) included all eligible probationers assigned to kiosk use. Eligible individuals had more than 6 months remaining on probation, did not have a history of DWI, and had not committed violent offenses in the preceding 5-year period. In addition, their scores on the Wisconsin Risk/Needs Scales placed them in the minimum risk and minimum needs categories.

The officer supervision group (n=906) included adults who began probation between November 2011 and April 2013 (i.e., no later than 9 months before kiosk use was initiated at that office). Eligible individuals who were receiving supervision in the jurisdiction but had been adjudicated in another county (n=608), were not included because comparable violation data were not available.

Outcome Dataset for Site 3

The sample was restricted to low-risk probationers who reported by kiosk (n=12690) and who used IVR (n=1234) were enrolled in the study between February 16 and April 1, 2012. The analyses examined whether or not a client received an infraction during the first 6 months after enrollment (e.g., prior to October 2012).

Coded Interview Dataset

Respondents from the current users group (n=66) had between 4 and 38 years of experience in the probation field. Respondents held high ranking positions within the probation department (e.g., director, deputy chief), while others were probation officers who used the kiosks on a day-to-day basis or were responsible for the information technology or maintenance of the kiosk system.

Time Method View help for Time Method

Universe View help for Universe

Probationers, parolees, and community corrections personnel at probation and parole agencies in five regions across the United States.

Unit(s) of Observation View help for Unit(s) of Observation

Data Type(s) View help for Data Type(s)

Mode of Data Collection View help for Mode of Data Collection

Description of Variables View help for Description of Variables

The research collected information from multiple sources and produced the following five datasets:

• 01_screener_data.sav (24 variables, n=669): The variables include kiosk usage, region location, reasons for not using a kiosk, and information about other forms of reporting kiosks.
• Site_1_Study-1_Data_revised.sav (25 variables, n=654): The variables include parolee demographics, general information on probation and kiosk usage, probation offenses, and scores from the Wisconsin Risk and Needs Scales.
• Site_1_Study-2_Data_revised.sav (27 variables, n=2301): The variables include parolee demographics, general information on probation and kiosk usage, probation offenses, and scores from the Wisconsin Risk and Needs Scales.
• Site_3_Data_revised.sav (34 variables, n=13924): The variables include parolee demographics, court conditions, service referral, and recidivism.
• 02-coded_interview_data.sav (164 variables, n=66): The variables include rationale and development of a kiosk reporting program, technological aspects of the kiosk, target population and reporting requirements, benefits of kiosk reporting, and officer and offender satisfaction with the program.

Response Rates View help for Response Rates

Screener Dataset Survey 73.5%

Presence of Common Scales View help for Presence of Common Scales

None

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Original Release Date View help for Original Release Date

2017-12-20

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None

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