The Effects of Post-Release Community Supervision Reform

Finally, in contrast to the traditional focus on surveillance and violations, the Pathways model focuses on positive reinforcement. Probation staff are encouraged to relate to offenders in sensitive and constructive ways designed to increase personal investment and behavior change, such as by drawing upon evidence-based techniques of communication like motivational interviewing (Miller & Rollnick, 2012). Likewise, staff are instructed to provide more “carrots” than “sticks.” Staff emphasize positive reinforcement in response to good behavior rather than focusing on technical violations that return people to custody, and in the event of negative behavior, sanctions are swift, certain, and appropriate.