Do Relationships Matter: Examining Officer-Probationer Dynamics
For someone on probation, or criminal justice supervision in the community, their relationship with their probation officer is often a crucial aspect of their success. Yet we know little about these relationships and how officers can best support clients on probation. Drawing on data collected through the Mass Probation and Health project, I analyze qualitative responses to the question, “how would you describe your relationship with your probation officer” from 83 adults on probation in Hennepin County, MN. Using qualitative thematic coding, I identify five central themes: Positivity, Growth, Netraultiy, Negativity, and Non-Applicable. These five themes reveal that participants had the most positive experiences of supervision when they felt that their probation officer communicated effectively, treated them fairly, and helped connect them to valuable resources.