Extending Dynamic Mapping to Reentry Practitioners: An Exploration of Rhode Island's Community Supervision Mapping System. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: La Vigne, Nancy G.; Denver, Megan
• Is Part Of: Prison journal. Volume 95:Number 4(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 493
• Page End: 509
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: prisoner reentry -- supervision -- geospatial technology; Prisons -- Periodicals; Prisons -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 365.6
• DOI: 10.1177/0032885515596512
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-8855

Abstract

Although dynamic mapping is an increasingly popular tool for law enforcement, this technology is uncommon for reentry practitioners. This article introduces the Community Supervision Mapping System (CSMS), a web-based tool that routinely integrates Rhode Island Department of Corrections data into a user-friendly interface designed for those who supervise and provide service referrals to probationers. Using pre- and post-implementation survey data and actual usage data, we find that probation officers who adopt the new technology find the system useful and easy to use. We also learned that current usage is a better indicator of future use than is a respondent's reported intention to use the system.