What is the average or recommended caseload size?
The issue of the ideal size for a probation or parole caseload has been discussed for as long as there have been professionals in the field. To the casual observer, it seems to be a rather straightforward question. Why can’t a definitive answer be given to the question of how many offenders a caseload officer should carry? As with so many things, it is not so simple. Not every offender needs the same type or amount of supervision. To be effective and efficient, there must be varying amounts of supervision provided to offenders. The more serious or higher priority cases are assigned a greater level of supervision, meaning that the officer will be expected to have more frequent contact with that offender. Lower priority cases demand less time of the caseload officer. A significant proportion of agencies have adopted classification and case management systems for their supervision operations. The Model System incorporates classification with a method of accounting for cases known as the “
