Positive change is possible for everyone in Pennsylvania through the collaborative implementation of evidence-based practices (EBP). This month we’re sharing short testimonials, describing PPJCI roles, and sharing resources to support continued implementation and delivery of EBP statewide.

Hearing from others in the field and how EBP has benefitted their work helps all of us improve our processes and our outcomes.

“By utilizing EBPs, we can enhance our ability to assess and address the specific needs of each individual under our supervision. This approach can improve public safety, promote an individual’s rehabilitation, and reduce our recidivism rates.” —Douglas Wilburne, Chief Probation Officer, Franklin County Adult Probation Department

“Evidence-based practices have been very helpful to me as a criminal court judge. Prior to the utilization of a risk/needs assessment tool, I had very little information regarding the cases I presided over. With our probation department utilizing the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory, I am more informed and better able to individualize my sentences based upon the risk of reoffending and the needs of the people being sentenced.” —Honorable Timothy F. McCune, Butler County Common Pleas Judge

“For the last decade, evidence-based practices and exit surveys continue to demonstrate that Thinking for a Change (T4C) promotes positive change for people on probation and parole in Chester County. These practices ensure court requirements are met while simultaneously providing individuals the lifelong skills they need to be a positive part of their community. Skills include stopping and thinking instead of reacting, pro-social problem solving without violence, and recognizing how choices impact others and have consequences. Most importantly, the lives of returning citizens are improved because of evidence-based practices. With a national recidivism rate of approximately 60-65%, I most definitely believe that "Thinking for a Change” has a positive impact on the students' lives, reduces the recidivism rate, promotes public safety, saves taxpayer dollars, and aides the returning citizen to have a positive impact on the communities to which they are returning.” —Stephen Pacinelli (justice impacted), FRI/Malachi Dads director–Chester County Prison, cognitive behavior instructor–Chester County Probation & Parole, Thresholds program coordinator–S.C.I. Chester

“Utilization of evidence-based practices is a critical component of successful public safety initiatives. The impact of evidence-based practices in York County is great and readily apparent. As a part of our collaborative system of public safety initiatives, the implementation of evidence-based practices was vital in our ability to decrease recidivism and crime while increasing public safety and community wellbeing.” —District Attorney David Sunday, York County

“Utilizing EBPs enables us to build service plans focusing on the specific needs of each inmate as well as to deliver programming that targets the identified areas. This approach facilitates the best chance at lowering recidivism and assisting each individual in building a law abiding life.“ —Deputy Warden Jennifer Passarelli, Butler County Prison

“As a criminal defense attorney for more than twenty years, if my client receives community supervision, my goal is to explain it fully, to include the supervision expectations. With an evidence-based model of supervision, that allows for individualization of many of the requirements and expectations, client needs can be readily identified. When criminogenic needs, likely to cause criminal behavior, are identified, goals can be set in conjunction with court stipulations. This model can increase the likelihood of success under supervision and reduce recidivism.” —Michael J. Machen, private defense attorney

 Voices from the Field

Learn from other experts in our community by reviewing the “Voices from the Field” PDFs on the PPCJI EBP Stakeholder Resources page: ccappoap.com/ebpstakeholderresources/.

Voices represented include a chief probation officer, judge, district attorney, public defender, warden, and victim advocate.

 Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) Briefs

PPCJI continues to develop EBP Briefs to guide justice policy and decision making. The EBP Briefs provide PPCJI partners a high-level overview of the challenges, opportunities, strategies, and timelines for various interventions that produce positive outcomes for people with justice involvement. Examples of EBP Briefs focused on criminal justice professionals include:

• Judges’ Role in an Evidence-Based System
• Prosecutors
• Defense Attorney
• Victim Service Providers
• Law Enforcement

 Who Does What with PPCJI?

PPCJI commenced with the formation of the EBP Leadership Team in 2015. The EBP Leadership Team is comprised of several key stakeholders in Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system, including:

• April Billet (Chair), Director, York County Probation Services
• Douglas Wilburne (Vice Chair), Chief, Franklin County Adult Probation
• Jeffrey Angradi, Chief, Pike County Adult Probation
• Bret Bucklen, PhD, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
• Darby Christlieb, Chief, Cumberland County Adult Probation
• Brian Deiderick, Public Defender, Lebanon County Public Defender’s Office
• Charles Ehrlich, Judge, Philadelphia Common Pleas Court
• Kelly Evans, Deputy Secretary of Reentry, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
• C. James Fox, Board Chairman, Pennsylvania Parole Board
• Pennie Hockenberry, Director of Policy, Office of Victim Advocate
• Scott Kerstetter, Chief, Union County Probation*
• Chadwick Libby, Director, Dauphin County Probation
• Ashlee Lynn, Manager, Allegheny County Adult Probation
• Seán McCormack, District Attorney, Cumberland County Office of the District Attorney
• Ryan Meyers, Deputy Director for Administration & Outreach, Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing
• Joseph Mittleman, Director of Judicial District Operations, Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts
• Christopher Pawlowski, Chief, Chester County Adult Probation, Parole & Pretrial Services
• Helene Placey, Executive Director, County Chief Adult Probation and Parole Officers Association of Pennsylvania
• Douglas Ritson, Chief County Probation Officer, Butler County Adult Probation
• Christine Shenk, Chief, Bucks County Adult Probation
• Damian Wachter, Director of Legislative Affairs, Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts
• Vance VanOrder, Program Manager, Office of Criminal Justice Improvements, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
• Mark Wilson, Director, Lancaster County Adult Probation
• Jennifer Wright, Supervisor, Chester County Adult Probation, Parole & Pretrial Services

December’s email will focus on goals and the importance of celebrating successes as well as reviewing why some goals were not met. Tips for maintaining momentum by establishing specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for 2024 will also be shared. 

Positive change is possible for everyone in Pennsylvania. We look forward to continuing to enhance your EBP knowledge and invite you to submit education/resource requests to askppcji@gmail.com.