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Motivational Interviewing for Probation Officers: Tipping the Balance Toward Change

NCJ Number
214772
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 70 Issue: 1 Dated: June 2006 Pages: 38-44
Author(s)
Michael D. Clark; Scott Walters; Ray Gingerich; Melissa Meltzer
Date Published
June 2006
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the benefits of using Motivational Interviewing with probation populations.
Abstract
Eight main benefits of using Motivational Interviewing in probation work are identified: (1) motivational interviewing is consistent with evidence-based practice; (2) it can enhance probation officer motivation to work toward offender change; (3) it offers effective tools for overcoming resistance and handling difficult situations; (4) it motivates offender participation in the change process; (5) the style of Motivational Interviewing forces the active participation of the offender; (6) it helps prepare offenders for change; (7) it focuses discussions on “change talk;” and (8) the motivational style allows officers to enforce probation orders and deliver sanctions. Each of these benefits is discussed in turn as the author illustrates the potential of Motivational Interviewing to address many of the challenges involved in managing offender populations, such as eliciting the desire to change and encouraging active offender participation in rehabilitation processes. Examples are offered of questions probation officers can ask to elicit the desire to change in offenders and the five categories of motivational speech are identified. Motivational Interviewing is ideal for probation populations because it allows probation officers to find the middle ground between working in partnership with the offender while still fulfilling their court and supervision roles. Figures, references