Probation and Parole: Intensive Supervision

History of ISP Programs

California initially introduced an intensive supervision program in 1950 as a form of parole. Other states, such as New Jersey and Kentucky, began their own intensive supervision programs in the 1960s. Originally, the focus of these programs was to improve the effectiveness of probation and parole, with rehabilitation being the main goal. It was believed that if the right ratio of clients to supervising officers could be achieved, then real change would occur among these offenders. As more states passed community corrections acts in the 1970s and 1980s, more intensive supervision programs began to appear. It soon became apparent that certain higher-risk offenders could benefit from these programs, which would allow them to obtain treatment services within their communities while diverting them from crowded and expensive prisons.

As more high-risk offenders began to be placed in intensive supervision programs, the main goal of the programs shifted from rehabilitation to retribution or punishment. Georgia is believed to be the first state to implement a statewide intensive supervision probation program, in 1974. By 1995, 46 states had implemented similar programs, and today all states have some form of ISP program.

Components of ISP Programs

Although there is no single generic form of ISP, most programs insist that their clients adhere to the following requirements: have multiple weekly contacts [Page 341]with the ISP officer, submit to random drug and alcohol testing, follow the general and specific conditions of probation/parole, participate in relevant treatment programs, be gainfully employed, make restitution payments, abide by a curfew, and perhaps do community service. Sometimes, clients may be placed on home confinement or electronic monitoring while they are on ISP supervision.

When clients are initially placed on ISP, they are expected to have at least five face-to-face contacts with the ISP officer per week. These visits may take place at the officer's office, the client's home, or the client's place of work. The ISP officer works closely with a surveillance officer to make sure his or her clients are abiding by their curfews, that random alcohol and drug testing is occurring, that clients are attending treatment programs, and that clients are showing up for work. Additionally, an ISP officer will work in conjunction with local law-enforcement agencies to conduct weekly checks of local arrest records. ISP officers carry smaller caseloads than regular probation or parole officers to allow them to perform frequent and intensive supervision of their clients. An average caseload for an ISP officer is around 28 cases per officer, versus a regular probation/parole officer, who may carry caseloads of anywhere from 60 to more than 300 cases. Caseloads may consist of either juvenile or adult offenders.

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