Adult Probation 2009 Gender Analysis Update

San Francisco Adult Probation Department

2009 Gender Analysis Update

On April 22, 2009, the Adult Probation Department provided a CEDAW Update to the Commission on the Status of Women, and provided the following written report:

 

MISSION:

The San Francisco Adult Probation Department continues to monitor its workforce composition by maintaining workforce data by race and sex within each job classification. This workforce data allows the department to track its progress toward ensuring equal employment and opportunity.

 

Analysis of Workforce Composition:

Adult Probation Department Workforce by Gender (03/31/09):

Total Department workforce

98 Staff

Female

55 Staff

Male

43 Staff

 

The Department is mindful in maintaining the principles of CEDAW in each job classification. Departmental operational procedures and cultures exhibit equality in employment for men and women. In a 1999 survey of the Adult Probation Department staff, 48.15% of the Department's workforce were males and 51.85% were females. Males accounted for 54.81% of Deputy Probation Officers while females accounted for the remaining 45.19%. As of 03/31/09, the Department's workforce is 56.1% females and 43.9% males.

 

Deputy Probation Officers (03/31/09):

Gender

   

Female

34

51.5%

Male

32

48.5%

Ethnicity

   

African

American

 

21

 

31.8%

Caucasian

21

31.8%

Hispanic

16

24.2%

Filipino

2

3.1%

Asian

6

9.1%

 

Supervisory (all Managers and Supervisors) (03/31/09):

Gender

   

Female

10

55.6%

Male

8

44.4%

Ethnicity

   

African

American

 

7

 

38.9%

Caucasian

3

16.7%

Hispanic

4

22.2%

Filipino

2

11.1%

Asian

2

11.1%

 

Non Supervisory Support Staff (03/31/09):

Gender

   

Female

11

78.6%

Male

3

21.4%

Ethnicity

   

African

American

 

1

 

7.1%

Caucasian

4

28.6%

Hispanic

3

21.5%

Filipino

1

7.1%

Asian

5

35.7%

Analysis of the Department's workforce indicates potential future promotion/hiring opportunities in all job classifications due to anticipated retirements in the next years.

 

Recruitment and Retention:

The Adult Probation Department has established a Recruitment and Retention Committee. The committee members consist of clerical staff, Deputy Probation Officers, and Supervising Probation Officers. This committee has developed flyers that contain a description of the department's mission and vision statement which is distributed to Bay Area College and University students. Members of this committee attend job fairs and also play a vital role in planning and organizing department social functions such as swearing-in luncheons for new staff and holiday celebrations.

Since the establishment of the Recruitment and Retention Committee, the Department has noticed an increase in the number of applications submitted for internships. In addition to helping the Department with ongoing casework, the interns have enhanced their knowledge of probation. The on the job experience has helped the Interns develop job skills necessary for consideration of future employment.

 

Evidence Based Practices in the Department

 

1. Gender Specific Caseloads:

 

The Adult Probation Department recognizes the need for specialized caseloads which meet the gender specific needs of female probationers. Two female Deputy Probation Officers have been assigned to monitor and supervise caseloads specific to female probationers. One caseload consists of 18 to 25 year old female probationers who have been assessed as needing intensive supervision. The second caseload consists of female probationers who have been assessed as general supervision. The probationers on each of these caseloads have been convicted of offenses such as possession of drugs for the purpose of sales, shoplifting, assault, and robbery. The Officers who manage these caseloads assist these female probationers to become productive citizens of the community. They encourage the probationers to seek their high school diploma or GED within 6 months of being placed on probation. Referrals are made to the Sheriff's Department Women's Re-Entry program which assists the probationers with employment opportunities and other wrap-around services. Referrals are also made to community based organizations which provide for individual gender specific needs. Female probationers account for 16.9% of the department's total probationer population. Approximately 15% of the female probationers are currently served by the specialized caseloads.

 

Probationers:

Gender

   

Female

1105

16.9%

Male

5452

83.1%

 

 

(The Commission on The Status of Women asked the Department to provide an update on the Network and Power programs which were highlighted in the Gender Analysis Report of 2001. The Network Program was grant funded and operated from October 1999 to September 2001, at which time grant funds ended and no resources were available to continue funding. The Power Program consisted of one female-only intensive caseload with services specifically addressing female offenders with drug and alcohol problems. In 2001, staff reductions no longer made it feasible to continue the program.

 

2. Work – Life Balance:

 

The Adult Probation Department recognizes the retention of female employees can be enhanced by incorporating gender needs into planning and operations.

 

The Department continues to have flex-time for its employees. This practice also allows work-life balance. Officers are able to adjust their work schedules to meet family care responsibilities as well as work expectations.

 

The Adult Probation Department currently has 6 telecommuters (4 females and 2 males). The telecommuting program consists of Officers in the Investigation Division. These Officers are able to work from a home office and still meet daily work expectations.

 

Telecommuters:

Gender

   

Female

4

66.7%

Male

2

33.3%

 

 

In reviewing other work-life balance opportunities, the Department's recognition and incorporation of specific gender needs led to the development of an office which is specifically designed to meet the needs of female employees who have chosen to breast feed their newborns. This office space allows for females to extract their breast milk in a quiet and private area. The office is also equipped with a refrigerator for storage of the extracted breast milk.

 

3. Social Characteristics of Female Probationers:

 

As discussed in section 1 of this report, the Adult Probation Department recognizes the need for specialized caseloads which meet the gender specific needs of female probationers, and has created two caseloads which are specific to the monitoring and supervision of female probationers.

 

In order to meet the specific needs of female probationers, it is important to understand the social characteristics and prevalent crimes committed by them, and their biggest challenges. In November 2007, the Adult Probation Department began using the Correctional Assessment and Intervention System (CAIS). This risk/needs assessment tool has enhanced the Probation Officers' ability to apply different supervisory techniques to deal effectively with female probationers.

 

Although CAIS is a risk/needs assessment tool which is used to establish the best supervisory technique for all probationers, it contains structured interview questions specific to both females and males. These questions are divided into four major sections: general information, objective history, behavioral observations, and interviewer impressions. Items from all sections are scored to determine risk of reoffending and the supervision strategies most appropriate for each offender.

 

The System scores each factor and assigns the offender to the correct CAIS group. These groups are identified by the recommended strategies rather than offender typologies:

  • Selective intervention
  • Situational
  • Treatment
  • Casework/control
  • Environmental structure
  • Limit setting.

A comprehensive report is generated with recommendations for case planning. The report identifies general supervision strategies to be used, the risk level of the offender, specific needs that should be addressed, and provides notes on special issues identified during the assessment interview.

 

As of 03/31/09, the Adult Probation Department has completed case assessments on 659 of the 1105 female offenders.

 

CAIS Female Probationer Need Factors (04/06/09):

Result

Count that reported result

Percentage

Abuse/Neglect/Trauma

97

18%

Alcohol and/or drug abuse

349

63%

Basic Needs

134

24%

Criminal Orientation

232

42%

Emotional Factors

331

60%

Family History

274

49%

Interpersonal Manipulation

96

17%

Isolated Situational

145

26%

Physical Safety

63

11%

Relationships

131

24%

Social Inadequacy

213

38%

Vocational Skills

283

51%

 

*This information is based on information retrieved on 554 female cases. If the probationer did not have an identified need, they were not counted in the stats.

 

The CAIS data demonstrates alcohol and /or drug abuse, emotional factors, family history, and lack of vocational skills are the leading challenges related to female offenders on probation with the Adult Probation Department.

 

Nature of Crimes Committed by Female Probationers (04/06/09):

Age Group

# in age group

Drug Related

Theft Related

Assault Related

18 – 25 yrs.

255

184

49

16

26 – 35 yrs.

360

211

83

27

36 – 45 yrs.

265

158

52

18

46 yrs. and up

221

115

56

23

 

 

The total female probationer population consists of the following age groups: 18 – 25 years old = 23.2%; 26 – 35 years old = 32.7%; 36 – 45 years old = 24.0%; and 46 years and up = 20.1%

 

The Adult Probation staff assigned to caseloads specific to supervision of females have reported successes of these probationers including completion of GED programs, vocational/employment program enrollments, and being able to remain in a positive environment that promotes positive outcomes.

 

The Department has made significant improvements over the past 10 years in being able to collect gender specific data. There is a need to further develop the capacity to maintain specific statistical data on probationer success.

 

4. Justice and Courage Influence on Policy:

Since the convening of the Justice and Courage Oversight Committee, the Adult Probation Department has addressed the prior systematic issues dealing with domestic violence cases, specifically victims. The Department worked collaboratively with various criminal justice partners (SFPD, DA, MOCJ, SFSD, SF DA Victim Services, and CBOs) to identify these issues and develop/ enhance protocols to address gaps identified in the 2000 Justice and Courage report.

Training programs were created for law enforcement entities, bringing together community members and law enforcement personnel in interdisciplinary training teams. This cross-training has enhanced the overall understanding of the systemic issues surrounding the handling of Domestic Violence cases, and allowed for a better understanding of the various agencies involved in Domestic Violence cases and their responsibilities.

The Adult Probation Department employs a diverse staff. This helps facilitate staff communication with non-English speaking probationers. The Justice and Courage Committee emphasized the necessity in having the ability to communicate with victims in their native language and avoid service delays due to communication issues. The Adult Probation Department staff is sensitive to the need to provide immediate and accurate interpretive services, and has contracted services through Language Line. A number of staff are multilingual and use interpretive skills during the course of their work. The Language Line is available as needed when staff is not fluent in the language spoken by the victim or probationer.

The Department has improved methods by which information is shared with other departments in order to support a collaborative approach to deliver services. This approach includes the development of protocol for the sharing of information with The San Francisco Human Services Agency (HSA) regarding new criminal domestic violence cases. This information is researched by HSA to identify those individuals with open dependency cases. Once this information has been verified, the Probation Officer is notified. This allows the Probation Department and HSA to resolve conflicting goals and/or contravening orders, and provides notification to the respective Courts the need to modify orders as appropriate.

 

5. Programs that Impact Women:

The Adult Probation Department continues to discuss and implement programs that impact women in San Francisco. We have established 2 caseloads that are specific to the needs of female probationers as described in section 1 of this report. This gender specific supervision has enhanced our ability to analyze data specific to females, as well as make appropriate referrals for rehabilitation or other needed resources in order to enhance the level of success for these probationers.

The Domestic Violence Unit of the Adult Probation Department has made changes to its protocol of referring domestic violence probationers to Batterer Intervention Programs (BIPs). Immediate referrals to BIPs advance the intervention process. This has an impact on women in San Francisco who continue to be primary victims of domestic violence by assuring their batterers are receiving services ordered by the court.

The Department has established collaborative efforts with the San Francisco Sheriff's Department in assisting female probationers with referrals to employment opportunities and other wrap-around services. A female Probation Officer is assigned to participate with the Sheriff's Department orientation for women who are released from county jail. This officer provides the female offenders with an overview of the Probation Department supervision processes, and has all probationers compete an orientation Check-In form. The probationers are then escorted to the Women's Re-Entry Program for an orientation specific to referrals. Upon completion of this process, the women report to the Adult Probation Department for an immediate intake with their assigned Probation Officer.

 

6. Key Trends or Statistics about Women:

The Adult Probation Department has enhanced its ability to collect data specific to offender trends, thus being able to establish appropriate supervision techniques that meet the needs of the probationer. Current statistical data indicates that alcohol and /or drug abuse, emotional factors, family history, and lack of vocational skills are the leading challenges related to female offenders. This data also demonstrates that a majority of the women on probation in San Francisco are between the ages of 26 – 35.

The Department will continue to monitor statistical data in order to change our approach of supervision as necessary to meet the needs of all female offenders. This will enhance our ability to provide effective supervision to females assist them in becoming productive citizens of our community. Their success is our success.

 

7. Important Policy to Focus On:

If the Commission on the Status of Women were to take a policy position on an issue relating to women and girls in probation, we could recommend the development and implementation of an extended women's re-entry program/ service. There is a need for resource allocation specific to education and the development of job skills for women.