The Priority Prolific Offender Program: Preliminary Findings from the First Year of the Process and Outcomes Evaluation
Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Alberta Justice and Solicitor General.
Abstract
The Priority Prolific Offender Program (PPOP) joins a growing number of programs in Canada designed to collaboratively address the behaviour of prolific offenders, using a combination of monitoring, enforcement, and rehabilitative services. The objectives of Alberta’s program specifically aim to ensure Crown prosecutors have complete, accurate, and up-to-date information on prolific offenders, rehabilitation is promoted through the provision of appropriate support services, and the consequences of offending and reoffending are meaningful.
The Canadian Research Institute for Law and the Family (CRILF) was first contracted in 2010 to conduct a process evaluation of the program. The results of this evaluation yielded five recommendations for the program moving forward: (1) The development of an Operations Manual; (2) A review of the comprehensive bail packages; (3) Adequate funding and resources; (4) Education and awareness; and (5) A process and outcomes evaluation.
In 2012, PPOP followed through with the Phase 1 process evaluation’s recommendation to continue the process evaluation and conduct a thorough outcomes evaluation. The comprehensive three-year research strategy proposed by CRILF has three major components: (1) a process analysis designed to monitor and document program implementation, and specifically, to assess whether the Phase 1 process evaluation recommendations have been addressed; (2) an outcome analysis designed to track anticipated changes that result from the activities of the program; and (3) a cost and potential benefit analysis of the program.
The purpose of the current report is to discuss the findings of the first year evaluation activities. The objectives of the report were: (1) To re-visit PPOP processes, and assess the current processes in relation to the recommendations provided in the Phase 1 process evaluation; (2) To report preliminary findings from the retrospective data collection; and (3) To make process recommendations for the program as the evaluation enters its second year.
Three main methods were employed for this report: a retrospective analysis of data on clients de-selected from the program from its inception to December 31, 2012; a survey of PPOP staff; and a survey of PPOP stakeholders.
Description
Keywords
Citation
MacRae-Krisa, L.D., Paetsch, J.J. (2013). The Priority Prolific Offender Program: Preliminary Findings from the First Year of the Process and Outcomes Evaluation PDF. Edmonton, AB: Alberta Justice and Solicitor General.