EPICS Model Summary

In the article “Improving probation officers’ supervision skills: An evaluation of the EPICS model” by Paula Smith, Myrinda Schweitzer, Ryan Labrecque & Edward Latessa, explains the core correctional practices that probation officers should be using with supervision. The acronym EPICS is effective practices in community supervision which is a skill used for supervision (Smith, Schweitzer, Labrecque , & Latessa, 2012). Most probation and parole institutions have adapted to follow evidence base practices and have been informed of the EPICS model which can help with effective supervision (Smith et al, 2012). The purpose of the EPICS model is to provide an example as to how Probation officers translate effective interventions with each client (Smith et al, 2012). There are several core

According to a study conducted by Bonta, Bourgon, Robinson and Taxman, the effective

use of EPICS practice has proven to reduce offender recidivism in the long run (Smith, 2012). This research was done to show when and how a probation officer should use EPICS (Smith et al, 2012). A research study collected data that was divided into three parts, offender demographic information, criminal history, and officers that used the EPICS model (Smith et al, 2012). The offender demographic part focused on offenders with little education, employment and different risk levels. The criminal history was used to find out when the offender was first arrested and if they had previous probation history (Smith et al, 2012). Probation officers that used the EPICS model tend to focus more on offender’s criminogenic needs. Difference was shown in challenging pro