The Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) is the federal executive branch agency responsible for supervising 15,000 parolees, probationers and supervised releasees in the District of Columbia. CSOSA is using   to manage staff workload more efficiently, study recidivism patterns and keep district residents safe. “Pulling information together from a variety of sources has always been an issue. It is something we’ve struggled with for years,’’ explains Bill Kirkendale, CSOSA’s Chief Information Officer. “Now we are able to arrive at a single version of the truth.’’   Information is critical to the agency’s mission. “It helps us make sound decisions on tracking offenders, using resources and measuring success,’’ says former CSOSA Director Paul Quander. Using SAS, CSOSA initiated a program called SMART-STAT to analyze information that comes into the agency on everything from offender drug tests to low battery levels on the GPS units some probationers, parolees and supervised releasees are required to wear. Officers, for instance, will get an automated list of offenders they are responsible for who have failed a drug test or are having a problem with their GPS unit. They use the lists to contact the offenders and track their success in resolving the problem. The agency also used SMART-STAT to identify fugitives for its Safe Surrender program, an initiative that identifies individuals who would likely surrender if able to do so at a neutral location. Using contact information derived from its database, CSOSA invited individuals to turn themselves in at a local church. More than 500 took them up on their offer with no drama, no one being hurt, and with minimal expense.  SMART-STAT also helps CSOSA analyze its data and segment the offender population to determine the best way to manage individuals. Research shows that individuals with low-level offenses who receive intensive supervision are actually more likely to fail on supervision, typically due to increased detection of technical violations. Rather than report to an officer in person, CSOSA has deployed computerized kiosks in CSOSA branches where low-risk offenders report and enter information regarding their address and job status. Officers are then freed to concentrate on individuals who need more intensive management. Taking this application one step further, SMART-STAT provides a significant function for personnel management. CSOSA uses its data to pair parole officers with parolees by analyzing what types of parolees work best with which officers.   They also use their data to track successes and discover areas that need improvement. This capability allows CSOSA not only to analyze how it is performing as an agency but also to compare how it is doing across branches, within a team, or even across teams, down to the individual officer level. With that insight, they are able to work together to get staff and systems back on track when needed. One of the most exciting applications of SMART-STAT is the substance abuse treatment program. The system allows CSOSA to track not only who goes to treatment but also the success of that treatment. Using SMART-STAT, CSOSA can analyze which vendors are best at treating which type of person. This capability allows CSOSA to match people with the treatment most likely to succeed. “We have limited dollars, so it is critically important to match offenders with the treatment option that best meets their needs. This helps us spend less money and achieve more success,” says Calvin Johnson, CSOSA’s Director of Research. “We now have an analytical approach to reducing recidivism. We can figure out what works and what doesn’t. When you can show this, it is easier to secure appropriate funding,’’ Johnson says. “But ultimately, what this does is keep the citizens of Washington, DC, a lot safer.”   Copyright © SAS Institute Inc. All Rights Reserved.