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Strategic community supervision

Last updated on March 13, 2023

Probation officers in B.C. are trained in Strategic Community Supervision, an internationally recognized approach to community supervision proven to reduce recidivism by as much as 30%.

Through this approach, probation officers lead by example, build rapport with the individuals they supervise, challenge thinking errors, and reinforce positive behaviours that influence change and reduce the risk the individual might pose in the community.

There are three principles at the heart of Strategic Community Supervision:

  1. Risk - An individual should receive a level of service that matches their assessed risk.
  2. Need - An individual should receive interventions that target and address the cause of their criminal behaviour.
  3. Responsivity - An individual should receive services that work with their motivations, strengths and abilities. Cognitive behavioural approaches are an essential element of this principle.

Strategic Training Initiative in Community Supervision (STICS) may be an effective model for improving the effectiveness of community supervision.

Benefits of STICS

STICS results in lower rates of reoffending which enhances public safety and uses criminal justice system resources more efficiently.