Effective Practices in Community Supervision Model The effective practice in community supervision (EPICS) model refers to a framework developed by the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. The framework is an alternative approach for handling community supervision in an attempt to reduce or manage recidivism of convicted offenders. The model aims to use a combination of factors such as face-to-face interactions, referrals and monitoring to keep the target group in check during their supervision period. The EPICS model focuses on availing the right quantity of treatment intervention that would help the individuals on parole or probation. The model is a direct reaction to recent calls for a more effective approach in managing individuals under supervision …show more content…
The recidivism rate for the traditional methods was particularly high given the lack of proper reentry support structures. Often the individuals under supervision were simply released back into the society and expectations imposed on them. As such, the individuals fell back into their antisocial behavior more often thus underlining the ineffective approach of the traditional approach and warranting more progressive approaches. Furthermore, the traditional forms of supervision operated primarily based on two typologies of the corrections officers. The two methods mentioned above included the law enforcement officer and the social caseworkers with the latter being more popular than the former. Such approaches limited the interaction between supervision officer and the offender, which alludes to the lack of supporting structures for the offenders. The new EPICS model and the STICS model paved the way for the introduction of the hybrid officers who offer a balanced approach to supervision. The Hybrid officer maintains characteristics from both the law enforcer and the social caseworkers through the provision of both therapeutic and legal