ARCC. A net pen facility was constructed on
the east side of Alouette Lake, 3.5 km north of
the Alouette Dam. This facility allowed juvenile
rainbow and cutthroat trout to be raised for
release into Alouette and Hayward Lakes. In

1996-97, there were 1,500 cutthroat and 50,000
rainbow trout net pen releases.

Managing community caseloads

Caseload classification system

Similar to the experience of correctional
institutions, community corrections faced
significant growth in caseloads without an
increase in fiscal resources. The first attempt to
manage community staff resources and identify
high-risk offenders was the pilot caseload

classification system.”®

In September 1989, senior management
approved the concept of caseload classification
to assist probation officers in managing these
tasks. A working committee developed the
system and the pilot project commenced in
October 1991. Two classification systems were

tested in eight community offices. Five of the
offices used a modified Ontario classification
model. Three offices used a modified
Wisconsin assessment.

Evaluation of the caseload classification project
suggested that the introduction of classification
systems did not change case planning or
offender management practices. It simply
confirmed the professional judgment of
probation officers. Because the instruments
required additional time to complete, the
Branch rejected implementation of either
model.

justice responsibilities,

Surge in community caseloads

Community caseloads steadily increased during the 1980s while the Corrections Branch
sought to address pressures on its institutions. During the 1980s, the average community
caseload rose 19.4% —from 13,456 to 16,063,

In the 1990s, this pressure on the community continued to mount. The bail supervision
caseload grew by 225% between 1991-92 and 1997-98. Overall probation caseloads
increased by 60% and affected the ability of probation officers to manage their family

28 Prior to the pilot project, the Fraser Region tested a classification instrument in 1983-84. After reviewing the
project, the Branch did not proceed with province-wide implementation.

198

Corrections in British Columbia