An exploration of female offenders’ memorable messages from probation and parole officers on the self-assessment of behavior from a control theory perspective

ABSTRACT

Guided by control theory, this study examines memorable messages that women on probation and parole receive from their probation and parole agents. Women interviewed for the study were asked to report a memorable message they received from an agent, and to describe situations if/when the message came to mind in three contexts likely to emerge from a control theory perspective: when they did something of which they were proud, when they stopped themselves from doing something they would later regret, and when they did something of which they were not proud. The types of memorable messages and the reactions to these messages within the three contexts were coded, and differences between women on probation versus parole were examined. Overall, a greater proportion of women on parole recalled memorable messages, and the most frequently reported type of memorable message was behavioral advice. Women reported that the message helped them do things of which they were proud, such as engaging in routine activities and fulfilling goals; helped them to not give into urges that could lead to further negative sanctions or feelings of regret; and came to mind when they relapsed. Practical implications of the findings for training are presented.

KEYWORDS:

• Memorable messages
• control theory
• probation
• parole

Notes

1. Women who reported being on both probation and parole were excluded from the analyses.

2. Several messages had to be coded into the reaction not asked because the interviewer did not ask the reaction questions.

3. Because of the small number of women reporting religion, polite phrases, and motivation and personal compliment memorable messages, these three types are excluded from chi-square analyses as this helps reduce the number of expected cell counts that are less than five.

4. Reactions removed from analysis: mentally healthy, improving relationships with others, no reaction, yes but no probe; message types removed from analysis: personal compliment and behavioral advice, negative personal statement and behavioral advice.

5. Reactions removed from analysis: improving relationships with others, deteriorating family relationships, yes but no probe.

6. Reactions removed from analysis: goal fulfillment, rush/worrying; message types removed from analysis: negative personal statement and behavioral advice, personal compliment and behavioral advice.

Additional information

Funding

This research is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1126162 and by a Strategic Partnership Grant from the Michigan State University Foundation.