🌟 Celebrate success: Positive change through supervision.
Positive Change is Possible
Identifying and sharing success stories of people on supervision helps probation and parole departments illustrate how positive change happens —and why it matters. These stories do more than celebrate individual progress; they make the invisible visible. They highlight the moments when skills take root, when someone chooses a different path, when support and accountability work together to create momentum.
For staff, these narratives boost morale, reduce burnout, and turn abstract practices (like cognitive-behavioral coaching or graduated incentives) into concrete actions colleagues can replicate. Success stories remind staff that their daily efforts of coaching, listening, redirecting, and encouraging are catalysts for real change.
For stakeholders—judges, attorneys, service providers, legislators, funders, and community partners—success stories humanize supervision, demonstrate accountability, and show how evidence-based approaches contribute to safer communities and stronger reentry outcomes.
For the department, success stories serve as compelling proof points that complement recidivism data, strengthening budget requests, policy proposals, recruitment efforts, and public communications.
For the people doing the hard work of change, these stories offer something powerful; proof that growth is possible, that setbacks don’t define them, and that their future can look different from their past.
Stories from the Field
The following three stories were shared by county probation staff and highlight the progress they witnessed while working with people on supervision:
One of the people I worked with who was convicted of Robbery expressed a strong interest in the trades, but struggled to get hired. After being referred to a local construction trades program and receiving added support, he completed the program, was selected as a student keynote speaker at graduation, and was accepted into the Sheet Metal Workers Union. What an amazing testament to how his interest turned into a career pathway that now supports long-term stability and helps him meet his restitution obligations.One of the people I worked with who was convicted of Robbery expressed a strong interest in the trades, but struggled to get hired. After being referred to a local construction trades program and receiving added support, he completed the program, was selected as a student keynote speaker at graduation, and was accepted into the Sheet Metal Workers Union. What an amazing testament to how his interest turned into a career pathway that now supports long-term stability and helps him meet his restitution obligations.
One of the men I supervised for Simple Assault made an immediate connection with the staff member who completed his initial assessment, and that relationship helped him get off to a strong start. He engaged with the resources offered and made steady progress throughout supervision. Near the end of his supervision, he sent that staff member verification that he had earned both his Pennsylvania driver’s license and his CDL—accomplishments that opened new opportunities for him. He also shared a message that stayed with the staff member: “From the day I met you, my life has changed. Words are not enough to express my gratitude and appreciation.
As a supervisor, I supported an officer who had worked with an individual for nearly four years. Despite multiple attempts at treatment, the pattern was always the same: he would make progress, relapse, and edge closer to a point where another violation would likely mean serving the rest of his sentence in jail.
After being unsuccessfully discharged from treatment, he came into the office knowing detention could be a real possibility. He tested positive, just as we expected. Before taking action, I asked the officer if we could sit down with him first to understand where he was at mentally. The individual was visibly nervous, so I asked a simple question: “If you could choose what happens next, what would it look like?” When he hesitated, I asked again, but this time about his future. That opened the door. He acknowledged his past struggles but shared that he had researched a different treatment facility he believed would be a better fit. He even pulled out a piece of notebook paper with names and numbers of people who had successfully completed the program and he intended to call for guidance. We chose not to detain him that day. He enrolled in the program he identified, completed treatment, and ultimately completed supervision without returning to jail.
For me, this moment underscored the importance of our MI training. Instead of directing him yet again, we asked for his perspective. Giving him space to choose his next step made all the difference; it was his decision, his motivation, and ultimately his turning point.
Survey Responses from People on Supervision
Surveys are another meaningful way to gather success stories and hear directly from people about their experience on supervision. Some jurisdictions use brief surveys after appointments or at case closure to capture feedback, progress, and moments of impact.
Below are a few responses from one county that actively incorporates surveys into its practice:
“Thank you for helping me out in times when I needed guidance.”
“Being on probation has helped me make better decisions and stay away from people and places that do me no good. I’ve learned how to be responsible, and I see now that respect and support come with that.”
“I’m very pleased to work with my supervisor. I learned many things from him. Thank you for helping and supporting me through this hard process.”
“My officers both treated me with dignity, care, and respect. They motivated me to live healthier and stay alcohol-free. I’ve grown my business and continued to succeed. I appreciate them both for treating me kindly and being the people they are.”
“This has provided me a new opportunity in my life, and I couldn’t thank everyone involved enough. Probation can be a tough situation for many, but for me this was a blessing.”
Jurisdictions benefit from having intentional processes to collect and share success stories. Common approaches include:
Asking staff to share success stories
Conducting surveys or focus groups with people under supervision
Inviting staff to nominate clients who have reached significant milestones
Once identified, success stories can be shared in ways that strengthen culture, reinforce evidence-based practice, and highlight the impact of supervision:
Staff meetings and newsletters
Website or social media posts
Recognition events or ceremonies
Across all of these methods, one guiding question for agency leaders remains powerful: What are our success stories and how are we making them visible?
Next Month: Chester County Probation, Parole, & Pretrial Services
Contact rick@thecareygroup.com if you would like to spotlight your county’s EBP efforts in a future PPCJI email
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.
