Experiencing offender supervision in Europe

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe and evaluate, as a potential research template, a pan-European quantitative survey, the Eurobarometer on Experiencing Supervision (EES). The tool was developed and tested across eight jurisdictions in order to evaluate its accuracy and utility with regard to comparative research. In addition, the paper illustrates the type of data this tool can generate and how this data can be used to improve supervision practices around the world. In brief, EES covers eight core domains of supervision: supervision as a human service, offender’s perception regarding the supervisor, the relationship between the offender and the supervisor, supervision and practical help, supervision and compliance, breach practice, supervision and rehabilitation and the offender’s involvement and participation. Overall, the tool is considered useful and promising. However, further research is required in order to demonstrate its full potential.