Annual Surveys of Probation and Parole (ASPP), Reference Years (RY) 2020-2024

The ASPP are two separate data collections, independently referred to as the Annual Probation Survey and Annual Parole Survey. Since 1980, the ASPP have collected aggregate data on the number of persons supervised on probation or parole (i.e., post-custody community supervision), together referred to as the community supervision population. The ASPP obtain aggregated data from administrative records maintained by state probation and/or parole agencies; local agencies (municipal, county, or court); and the federal system. The ASPP are core BJS data collections and are the only national data collections that describe the size, change, movements, outcomes, and characteristics of the community supervision populations at the national, federal, and state levels. Together with data from the National Prisoner Statistics (NPS) Program, which collects counts of persons incarcerated in federal and state prisons, and data from the Annual Survey of Jails, which collects counts of persons held in local jails, ASPP data are used to estimate the total number of persons supervised by the adult correctional systems in the United States.

The ASPP provide crucial information on the size, flow, and characteristics of community supervision populations. The data are used by federal, state, and local agencies, as well as by researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders. Because the data are so important, it is imperative that the survey design and procedures result in high-quality, reliable data that address the broad spectrum of issues facing the community supervision field. Under this award, RTI will use funds in support of ASPP reporting years 2020–2024 to continue the longitudinal survey collection along with research and development to enhance the surveys. Tasks will include efforts to (1) enhance the frame, (2) conduct the annual survey and redesign and program the instruments used to collect the data, (3) deliver required data files and evaluate and improve the analytic products of the collections, and (4) add to the body of literature on community supervision. Expanded efforts to build collaborative relationships with probation associations will be made to further strengthen the study design, increase survey participation and improve data quality, address barriers facing data providers, and disseminate results and information that help answer questions faced by the field. Each year, the procedures and efforts exercised will be re-evaluated to continuously improve the study design and ensure the most complete, highest-quality data possible on community corrections.
Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law," and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14).

CA/NCF