In 2018, the Probation and Parole Service of Baden-Wurttemberg (“Bewährungs- und Gerichtshilfe Baden-Württemberg“, BGBW) introduced the so-called Resource-Risk-Inventory (RRI) as a diagnostic tool for their work with probationers and parolees. The RRI combines elements from both the risk-need-responsivity model (RNR) and the good lives model (GLM) for assessing the individual needs, resources, and criminogenic factors of the clients under supervision in order to contribute to a successful rehabilitation of offenders. The RRI outcomes are grouped into “green”, “yellow” and “red” scores. As a quantitative risk assessment tool, the RRI and its respective output score determine the level of support and intensity of client interaction during the entire probationary or parole period.
So far, it remains unclear how and to what extent the RRI scores influences the probation and parole officers’ decision-making in terms of the implementation or non-implementation of relevant interventions in given cases. Related to this is the underlying question of both the efficiency and effect of social work in the context of offender rehabilitation and the process of preventing recidivism.
This study investigates how, which and when interventions are being implemented by probation and parole officers following a given RRI score. In this context, the individual decision-making processes of the probation and parole officers are of great interest. Following a qualitative research design, a grounded theory analysis of case files of clients with different criminal records within the BGBW will be conducted. Additionally, a small number of semi-structured qualitative interviews with probation and parole officers – potentially also with probationers and parolees – will be conducted in order to analyze the underlying individual decision-making processes when deciding on or against relevant interventions. Finally, so as to gain a deeper understanding of the interaction between probation and parole officers and their respective clients, a small number of observations is planned.
