Parole and probation staffing, caseloads and assessment tools draw concern at PSTE hearing

Jacob Cash of the Department of Legislative Services presented the community supervision budget and performance data, saying DPSCS’s FY25 allowance for community supervision is $133.7 million (about a 3% increase). Cash told the subcommittee that while filled positions improved, probation cases rose by about 4,665 in FY23 (roughly a 7% increase), producing higher caseload ratios in some regions; the Capital Region showed an elevated ratio compared with statewide averages.

Cash also outlined concerns with the legacy Level of Service Inventory Revised (LSIR) classification tool; DLS said the tool had inconsistencies and was de‑emphasized for classification in favor of a modified initial screener, and the department is working on a replacement or an off‑the‑shelf solution with plans to make considerable progress by the end of the fiscal year. DLS recommended committee narrative requesting annual caseload data and a report on the risk‑assessment transition.

Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs and DPSCS staff accepted DLS’s recommendations, emphasized recent hiring gains and community supervision initiatives ("knock and talk" field work), and said they were exploring apprenticeship and registered‑apprenticeship approaches to broaden recruitment and training pathways. Keisha King, a senior agent and AFSCME member, testified that caseloads remain unmanageable in practice (she cited a personal caseload of 155 with ~105 active) and urged increased funding for agents, office professionals and intake reviewers to protect public safety.

Committee members requested follow‑up on apprenticeship pathway implementation, the status of any degree‑requirements conversions for new hires, and quality control measures for classification tools. DPSCS said it will report back and accepted narrative and reporting requests.