Can family and friends improve probation and parole outcomes? A quantitative evaluation of Triple-S: Social Supports in Supervision

Abstract

This study details the results of a quantitative evaluation of a new model of probation and parole called Triple-S: Social Supports in Supervision. The pilot project positioned community corrections staff as ‘super controllers’ who incorporate the parents, partners or peers of probationers and parolees into each client’s order to serve in the roles of offender handlers, target guardians and place managers. The findings demonstrated Triple-S had inconsistent effects on reoffending, as reductions were not always significant or sustained; however, some promising results showed a reduction of recidivism frequency and severity. Program fidelity (the slippage between expected versus observed Triple-S sessions) was influential, with greater model adherence resulting in lower rates of reoffending.