What Are Supervision Levels?
The term “supervision level” is something you should expect to see in relation to types of probation or parole in Indiana. Every person who is on probation or parole in Indiana will have requirements or conditions of their probation or parole, which will set forth the things that the person must do as well as what they cannot do. In addition to conditions of probation or parole, a person’s type of probation or parole will also be set by their level of supervision, which Indiana courts are supposed to match to a person’s risk level. Supervision level generally refers to the frequency of required probation or parole officer meetings and other forms of monitoring that may be required (such as drug testing, for example).
How is a person’s risk level assessed, and how does that relate to the supervision level associated with a person’s probation or parole? Our Indianapolis criminal defense attorneys can explain in more detail.
Indiana Risk Assessment System
When a person in Indiana is sentenced to probation or becomes eligible for jail release on parole, their level of supervision — how often they must meet with a probation or parole officer, and any other form of monitoring to which they must consent — is typically set by their risk level, which is determined through the Indiana Risk Assessment System (IRAS). The following are factors used in determining a person’s risk level:
- Criminal history;
- Education, employment, and financials;
- Family and support;
- Neighborhood problems;
- Substance abuse;
- Peer associations; and
- Criminal attitudes and behavior problems.
Types of Probation and Parole Supervision and Monitoring
Depending on the risk level and ultimate supervision level, a person on probation or parole may be required to comply with one or more of the following forms of supervision, for example:
- Meeting with a probation or parole officer on a regular basis (with that basis and schedule to be set by the court, typically weekly or monthly);
- Participation in a type of supervision program;
- Residing in a particular type of community;
- Compliance with random drug testing; and/or
- Compliance with random searches.
A person with a determined low risk may have a type of probation, for example, in which they are only required to meet with a probation officer once per month or even to have a type of non-reporting probation, whereas a person determined to be higher risk is likely to have a type of probation or parole with a higher supervision level that may require more frequent meetings with a probation or parole officer.
Contact an Indianapolis Parole and Probation Attorney for Assistance
Issues surrounding probation and parole in Indiana are not always clear to individuals who have been convicted of criminal offenses and to their families. Indeed, various aspects of probation and parole can be confusing, including the level of supervision and how it will impact your life while you are on probation. One of the experienced Indianapolis parole and probation lawyers at Rigney Law LLC can speak with you today about any aspect of probation or parole in Indiana, including defense strategies if you have been accused of violating the terms or conditions of your probation or parole. Contact Rigney Law LLC today to learn more about how our attorneys can assist you.
Sources:
in.gov/courts/iocs/files/prob-standards-standards-2024.pdf
in.gov/courts/iocs/justice-services/risk-assessment/