The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)
seeks approval to continue its Annual Surveys of Probation and
Parole (ASPP) for the 2020-2022 data collection period. These
establishment surveys provide BJS with the capacity to report
annually on changes in the size and composition of the community
corrections populations in the United States. The surveys also
track key outcomes of offenders on probation or parole, such as
completion of supervision terms and return to incarceration (or
recidivism). Data are collected from the known universe of
probation and parole supervising agencies, using central reporters
wherever possible to minimize burden the public. The ASPP provides
the only national level, regularly collected, data on the community
corrections populations, and, as such, they inform this key stage
of the criminal justice process. Specifically for 2020-2022, BJS
seeks approval to continue both the routine annual collection and
work on expanding the known universe of probation supervising
agencies. Based on the past few years frame development research,
in RY2020, BJS will add all the newly identified agencies to
confirm their status as supervising agencies and produce an
up-to-date frame for use in RY2021 and RY2022. In addition, the RY
2020 collection will include a short supplement to examine the core
estimates of probation and parole population counts after a few
months of the coronavirus (COVID19) impacts to the criminal justice
system and questions about policy and practice changes resulting
from the coronavirus.
PL:
Pub.L. 90 - 351 301 Name of Law: The Omnibus crime control and
safe streets act of 1968
The estimated total burden for
the 2020 routine ASPP is 1,001 hours in RY 2020, and the burden
estimate for the RY 2020 coronavirus supplement is 287 hours, for a
total of 1,288 burden hours. This is an increase of 572 hours
compared with the burden approved by OMB in 2017 (when burden was
716 hours). The change is the result of the following
modifications— • The addition of expansion frame cases to the
sample, 66 that were added to the probation frame in RY2019 and
will receive the full CJ8 form in RY2020, and 288 that will be
added to the RY2020 collection and be administered the short CJ8A
form. • The addition of a 20 minute supplement to examine the
impact of the coronavirus pandemic on probation and parole
supervision in RY2020. • Asking CJ7 and CJ8 respondents who report
the number of cases rather than individuals under supervision to
also provide an approximate ratio of cases to individuals. This
will allow BJS to better estimate the number of individuals under
supervision and improve the accuracy of the national and state
statistics. • Splitting the one question currently asked on the CJ7
and the one on the CJ8 about supervision status into two questions:
one asking for population counts by active and inactive status, and
one asking for population counts by other status types (e.g.,
absconders, supervised out of state, etc.). This change will help
prevent respondent confusion and potential double-counting of
individuals. • Adding a question about other population types
supervised by the agency that were included in the population
counts reported on the CJ7 and the CJ8. These items will enable BJS
to better estimate the number of individuals under supervision and
improve the accuracy of the national and state statistics.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.