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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
Alameda County Grand Jury
• 2016-2017
Critical Technology Changes for the Alameda County Probation Department
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 6 findings
17-22
Page 82
By making decisions without ready access to necessary information, the Probation Department has been putting the public at risk. The lack of a comprehensive case management system prevents probation officers from effectively managing and tracking their workloads, properly evaluating their clients’ needs, and accurately identifying potential issues.
17-23
Page 82
The Probation Department has been unable to report accurate recidivism rates due to inadequate collection, storage and analysis of data.
17-24
Page 82
Probation decisions about which service and/or service provider is best for an individual client have not been sufficiently data driven. Service providers have been chosen based on anecdotal evidence of reputation and previous experience.
17-25
Page 82
Current Probation Department management structure doesn’t allow for focused attention on data collection and evidence-based analysis.
17-26
Page 82
In the past, staff has been reluctant to embrace/accept new technology and processes. Staff buy-in is critical to the success of any proposed changes.
17-27
Page 82
Recognizing that the department needs an integrated information system that includes case management, risk assessment, reporting, and an access portal for staff, management has begun addressing these issues, beginning with the purchase and installation of new software systems.
Recommendations 4
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17-14Page 83To ensure public safety, the Alameda County Probation Department must quickly implement and evaluate the new evidence-based integrated case management and risk- assessment systems.
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17-15Page 83The Alameda County Probation Department must staff appropriately for successful implementation and support of the new case management and risk-assessment systems.
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17-16Page 83Once the new integrated technology is in place, the Alameda County Probation Department must publicly report recidivism data in a timely manner.
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17-17Page 83The Alameda County Probation Department must develop an evidence-based vendor evaluation system to ensure that service decisions impacting clients are based on data, not anecdotes.