Overview
The Massachusetts Parole Board (MPB) did not conduct the initial 6-month risk and needs reassessments for 4 out of 60 parolees under review and did not conduct an annual risk and needs reassessment for 1 parolee who was released on parole for more than 12 months within the mandated timeframes. Without performing timely reassessments of parolees, MPB cannot determine whether their risks or needs have changed.
Authoritative Guidance
Section 112.05 of MPB Policy 120 PAR 112, “Risk/Needs Assessment,” states,
C. A parolee with a supervision period of 12 months or more must be re-assessed six months after release.
D. After the initial field re-assessment at six months, a parolee will be re-assessed at least once every 12 months during the period of supervision.
Reasons for Delayed Input
MPB personnel stated that this was a result of a work cycle issue. They also noted that there was no function in the State Parole Integrated Records and Information Tracking (SPIRIT) II system to alert parole officers of upcoming assessments to be completed, and the parole supervisors are not required to review the Level of Service Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) Overdue Inquiries report each month. This report indicates which LS/CMI risk and needs reassessments are past due.
Recommendation
Parole supervisors should use the LS/CMI Overdue Inquiries report monthly and should immediately ensure that all past-due reassessments are completed.
Auditee’s Response
Finding Number 1 relates to the objective, "Did the MPB comply with the risk and needs assessment required by Section 130 of Chapter 127 of the General Laws and MPB Policy 120 PAR 112, 'Risk/Needs Assessment'?" The Parole Board maintains that it complies with Section 130 of Chapter 127. The Parole Board further maintains that it complies with the policy, 120 PAR 112, in conducting reassessment in all required cases, but would agree with the Audit Team's recommendations for improvement in meeting reassessment timelines.
In its initial engagement letter the Audit Team indicated that it would be assessing the Parole Board's compliance with Chapter 127, Section 130, which provides, inter alia, "Permits shall be granted only if the board is of the opinion, after consideration of a risk and needs assessment, that there is a reasonable probability that, if the prisoner is released with appropriate conditions and community supervision, the prisoner will live and remain at liberty without violating the law and that release is not incompatible with the welfare of society." (Emphasis added.) As noted [in] the Audit findings, key tested fields relative to the statutory requirement included: eligibility for parole hearing, date initial risk and needs assessment was conducted using LS/CMI, completeness of risk and needs assessment in LS/CMI, date of MPB hearing, whether the risk and needs assessment was conducted using LS/CMI before the parolee's hearing, and whether there were records of MPB's decision to approve parole. The Audit Team indicated that it found no incidents of failure to comply with the statutory requirements in the sixty (60) randomly selected cases it tested.
The Parole Board's Policy, 120 PAR 112, exceeds the statutory requirements by incorporating periodic reassessments during parole supervision. The Audit Team determined that parole staff completed reassessments in all sixty (60) cases tested and staff met policy timelines in fifty-five (55) of the sixty (60) cases tested. However, the Parole Board would agree with the Audit Team findings that staff were outside of the policy timelines in five (5) of the sixty (60) cases tested and that the SPIRIT case management system currently lacks an alert function regarding upcoming assessments. Supervisors are directed to utilize system reports each month to address overdue items. The Parole Board, in accordance with the Audit Team's recommendation, will emphasize use of the LS/CMI Overdue Inquiries report to address overdue reassessments. The Parole Board has also taken steps to request that the case management database vendor add functionality to provide parole officers with an alert or "to do" notice regarding upcoming reassessments to be completed.
Auditor’s Reply
Based on its response, MPB is taking measures to address our concerns in this area.
| Date published: | March 24, 2021 |
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