Electronic Monitoring: transition from tool to knowledge product

This increases the complexity of the implementation practice. And while in other sectors of society a decision-making support system (with guidelines) is often introduced to secure the quality requirements in the application, the application of technologies in judicial interventions (internationally) remain – in this respect – remarkably silent. What should be the basis for a decision support system with guidelines?

In order to guarantee the quality requirements in the application of technologies in the actual case, it is important to professionally integrate the (complex) technologies with risk assessment tools, methodologies, scientific research and literature. With (legal) attention to privacy and ‘Legal Principles’, such as proportionality and subsidiarity, as formulated in the Recommendation CM/Rec(2014)4 – Council of Europe.  This starting point helps to clarify two aspects. Firstly, when applying EM in a specific case, the transition must be made from ‘tool to knowledge product’. Secondly, that EM is a (criminal justice) chain product, where expertise from different disciplines is important to meet these quality requirements. The application of EM cannot be left solely to the (full) discretion of decision-makers and/or the capabilities of the technologies. Moreover, the call from scientists/researchers, in particular, to pay attention to these aspects seems to be increasingly audible. For example, during the last CEP conference on Electronic Monitoring in Zagreb.

In recent years, work has been done on a methodology (with a supporting) software programme that supports users with guidelines for the application of technologies in the actual case: the GOA Decision Support System.  The GOA Decision Support System is designed to support professionals/decision-makers and does not ‘prescribe’ anything.

Goal-Oriented Approach

The abbreviation GOA stands for Goal-Oriented Approach – a goal-oriented approach in the application of technologies. GOA is a methodology that can be used to shape an EM profile in a specific case. Using GOA, the various EM technologies are integrated into their methods to achieve multiple specific criminal justice objectives. In order to achieve a systematic and well-founded application of EM, a link is made between the technologies on the one hand and risk assessment, (criminological) theories, scientific research and literature on the other. It also promotes consistency of the application with legal principles, such as proportionality and subsidiarity.

A chain perspective is used to achieve an integrated approach to criminal law objectives relating to the entire criminal law chain. The criminal-law objectives pursued and the aspects relevant to them are combined in a multidimensional EM profile. This can include an approach geared towards reintegration, which also devotes attention to victim protection.

Outcomes of previous risk assessment & report(s) in the case are used to map out which criminogenic and protective factors apply to the individual in question and the extent of the problems in various living situations. Based on this, agreements are made, or special conditions are drawn up to prevent recidivism. In order to promote compliance with these agreements/conditions, an EM profile can be drawn up.

When designing an EM profile, it is necessary to determine which technology(s) are applied, with what intensity and scope of the applied restriction of freedom. According to the GOA methodology, this is explicitly and structurally linked to the areas (risk factors) that emerge from the risk assessment instruments and the extent of the problems identified within them. Therefore, the question is always which risk or protective factors play a role for the individual and how technology can address these factors. Offender characteristics, as identified within scientific writings, can contribute to answering this question.

GOA – Decision Support System

The software programme consists of (roughly) three parts: a knowledge base, an ‘advice tool’ with which advice (EM profile) can be formulated in a structured way in the actual case, and a Manual (Follow-up Protocol).

What are the (main) steps to be taken to arrive at an EM profile?  The starting point is the (type of) offence in which the application of (EM) technology is being considered. Next, the outcomes of the previously conducted risk assessment and report(s) in the case have to be assessed in order to make a ‘translation’ to the dashboard of the software program. Then the options for the application of technologies are presented and a choice can be made. During each process step, information included in the knowledge base can be used.

Testing

The GOA-Decision Support System has been tested with stalking and sex offences (courtesy of Reclassering Nederland).  EM specialists from two regions participated in the test and both groups were asked to advise EM on an identical case. Both groups had the same (process) information. In the test, one group was trained to work with the GOA Decision Support System and there was a control group.

The differences in the results were significant and can be (briefly) summarised as follows. The EM profiles in the cases drawn up with the aid of the GOA Decision Support System clearly showed methodical depth at the case level. In other words: a systematic approach to living areas/risk factors, differentiated EM profiles with an eye for victim protection and EM specifically geared to the case. In addition, more attention was paid to Legal Principles and transparency in the application of EM.

Link: goa-electronicmonitoring.com

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