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Review the of Coatesville Fires Case
Name
Institution
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Coatesville’s fire case involved people that were accused of deliberately setting fire in the
Coatesville Pennsylvania. In 2008, there were 26 set fires and 2009, there were 19 set fires.
These cases of arson caused damages of more than 3 million. These left people homeless, full of
fear as well as the death of 83 year old (Shea, 2009). Six people were therefore arrested and
charged with causing the fires.
Presentence Investigations
In parole, the courts have an obligation to conduct detailed investigations of the persons
convicted of felony or gross misconduct before making recommendations for sentencing to the
judge through a document known as pretence legal report. The reports should provide details of
the crimes that have been committed (Melde & Esbensen, 2012). The presentence investigative
report basically provides details about the defendants who is yet to be sentenced by court of law
for crimes committed. The Bureau of probation and parole is therefore responsible preparing and
presenting the report. The person preparing the report is known as presentence investigator.
In the Coatesville Fires Case, the investigations revealed that fires were caused by
lighting up materials like trash, debris and furniture. The investigations resulted in the arrest of
six people, one of the person arrested was Tribbett, who was found not only to be unemployed
but highly depended on alcohol. At the time of his arrest, he had been on probation after pleading
guilty of criminal mischief in 2006. Donkewicz was the other offender that was arrested for
causing fire that resulted in the death of 9o year old Kempest. He admitted causing two fires. He
indicated that he had voices telling him to set the houses on fire and kill people
Intake Procedures
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The employees of the Probation and parole bureau are expected to follow certain
procedures for effective case management. The Bureau therefore provides directions for the
employees so that they have meaningful supervision strategies for each of the offenders they are
managing. Intake procedure for offenders includes sign up procedures (Mills & Codd, 2008).
This is done during pre-test investigation in which the parole officer reads the court order and
conducts an office interview. This is aimed at reviewing the court conditions, completing risk
assessment and initiating supervision strategies. Post sentence investigation is undertaken to
obtain the background information within a given period of time so as to establish the family
social and criminal history of the offender.
In the Coatesville Fires Case, this could be applied after the court has issued the
convictions to the offenders. The court order is read to the offender and made to understand what
is expected of them during the probation or parole. It is important that the officer also verifies
home contacts information like address, lifestyle factors observe the residence for contra bands
and observes the offenders neighborhood for public safety issues like gang, graft, sex offenders
and other vulnerable neighbors. Initial risk assessment is also done to establish the risk posed by
the offender.
Needs Assessment and Diagnosis
The parole boards are required to conduct needs and risk assessment of applicants
seeking parole. This is important in facilitating evidence based practice that requires officers to
facilitate placing of the offenders in treatment programs that address the criminal risks factors
(Cullen & Smith, 2011).
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Needs assessment was very important in the Coatesville Fires Case because the arsons
were linked to use of narcotics and other drugs. Investigations established that Gilliam and
Barlow were also linked to gang related activities. Needs assessment and diagnosis is now a
requirement at every stage of the criminal justice process. These assessment results are
included in the presentence investigation reports so that courts can asses the offender’s eligibility
for alternative incarcerations.
Supervision of Clients
Considering that huge number of offenders under the supervision of community centers,
it is imperative there is high quality relations between the probationer and the offenders.
Supervision of the client involves not only supervision of the probationers assigned by the
courts, but also reintegration of the parolees when they are released from prisons (Cullen &
Smith, 2011).
Supervision of the clients in the Coatesville Fires Case need to take consideration of the
arsons was related to use of narcotics and involvement in the criminal gangs. The probation or
parole officers therefore need to balance their roles as officers of the law and counselor so as to
achieve both public safety and rehabilitation of the offender. This is because Coatesville had
been held hostage with dozens of fires that created havoc and cause tremendous damage.
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References
Cullen, F. T., & Smith, P. (2011). Treatment and rehabilitation. In M. Tonry (Ed.), The Oxford
handbook of crime and criminal justice (pp. 156–178). New York: Oxford University
Press.
Melde, C., & Esbensen, F.A. (2012). Gangs and violence: Disentangling the impact of gang
membership on the level and nature of offending. Journal of Quantitative Criminology.
Online publication. Doi: 10.1007/s10940-012-9164-z
Mills, A. and Codd, H. (2008). Prisoners’ families and offender management: Mobilizing social
capital. Probation Journal: The Journal of Community and Criminal Justice, 55(1), 9–24.
Shea, K (2009)."15 houses destroyed in Coatesville arson", The Philadelphia Inquirer January,
26.