IDOC Probation and Parole Supervision Standards Direct Observation Form

IDOC Probation & Parole Officer Direct Observation Form
OBSERVATION DATE PPO IDOC #OBSERVER

Proficient Satisfactory Minimal None N/A
DATE FEEDBACK GIVEN OBSERVER'S INITIALS PPO'S INITIALS
Effective Use of Authority (Manner of Being with Offender)
Introduced self or greeted offender in a confident, friendly manner.
Posture and physical gestures (e.g., handshakes, eye contact, non-verbal
communication) were deliberate, dignified, and conveyed interest and respect.
Was organized and prepared with case materials, recent test results, and identified
session goals.
Refrained from confrontation or appearing judgmental, sarcastic, or punitive.
Minimized use of teaching or advice (without permission) throughout the interview.
Acknowledged challenges about behavior change.
Achieved goal of contact.
Ended contact with review of immediate action plan for offender.
Thanked the offender for their time and effort when closing the session
Identified and reinforced skills learned in treatment to problem-solve.
Adequately discussed referral needs, jointly planned goals, identified obstacles, and
guided through the stages of change.
Treatment and Service Referral

Proficient Satisfactory Minimal None N/A Assessment and Planning
Used appropriate communication skills to decrease tension, reinforced positive
behavior, minimized interruptions, and avoided raising voice.
Reviewed and updated the offender's progress towards previously established
caseplan goals.
Identified the offender's high criminogenic need(s) (from current LSI-R),
reviewed current stage of change around need(s).
Recognized opportunities to use change agent skills (MI, Effective Disapproval,
Effective Reinforcement, Modeling, etc.) that can improve the offender's stage of
change for the need(s).
Explored offender's ambivalence to change, additional criminogenic need(s), and relevant
circumstances of the case.
Verified current case information and status (e.g., address, employment) and
accurately documented case information.
Reviewed any additional assessments specific to the case (GAIN-R, STABLE, STATIC, etc.).

Role Clarification, Sanctions, Rewards, and Incentives
Clarified the dual role of the PPO and the role of the offender.
When appropriate, as indicated by the Idaho Response Matrix, provided swift, certain and
graduated sanctions and rewards in a fair and genuine manner.
When appropriate, provided Effective Disapproval of behaviors linked to the offender's
criminogenic need(s).
When appropriate, provided Effective Reinforcement of behaviors linked to the offender's
criminogenic need(s).
Roadblocks (check if occurred)
Withdrawing, distracting
Questioning, probing
Reassuring, sympathizing, consoling
Interpreting, analyzingMoralizing, preaching
Judging, criticizing, disagreeing, blaming
Shaming, ridiculing, labeling, name-calling
Agreeing, approving, praisingPersuading with logic, arguing, lecturing
Giving advice, making suggestions, providing solutions
Warning or threatening
Ordering, directing, commanding
DIRECT OBSERVATION SCORE

Proficient Satisfactory Minimal None N/A Officer Communication Skills
Used open-ended questions effectively.
Limited use of closed-ended questions.
Used affirmations genuinely, with respect and accurate empathy.
Used reflections effectively.
Used summarizations effectively.
Used reflective listening appropriately.
Provided feedback, which allowed the offender to see the discrepancy
between current and desired outcomes.
Used skills to depersonalize conflict whenever possible.
Used skills to personalize the therapeutic partnership between the officer and
offender whenever possible.
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