TEXAS CSO 2027 COMPREHENSIVE ANSWERS AND
QUESTIONS SET A+
✔✔The primary purpose of a PSI is: - ✔✔-to present the sentencing judge with
information to consider about the defendant's life and character when making
sentencing decisions
✔✔5 secondary purposes of the PSI: - ✔✔-the PSI give the CSCD some input into the
decision of what will happen to an offender once he is placed on community supervision
-the PSI provides the CSO with a base of information that can make supervision of the
offender more effective
-the PSI assists the TDCJ-Corrections Institutions Division (TDCJ-CID) in classification
-the PSI assists the Parole Board in the parole decision making
-the PSI provides information to assist other residential programs
✔✔3 major procedures in PSI preparation: - ✔✔-obtaining/reviewing reports and
records
-interviewing offenders/relevant parties
-organizing information/compiling the report
✔✔6 PSI content areas required by law: - ✔✔-circumstances of the offense
-amount of restitution
-criminal history of the offender
-social history of the offender
-client supervision plan
-military service
✔✔The court may require/request additional information, including: - ✔✔-an
alcohol/drug abuse evaluation
-a psychological evaluation which includes a determination of the offenders IQ and an
adaptive behavior score
-a sex offender evaluation for treatment, specialized supervision or rehabilitation
,✔✔7 guidelines an office should keep in mind when compiling an PSI: - ✔✔-be sure of
the facts
-maintain objectivity: only include your feeling/opinions if they are identified as such and
they can be backed up with facts
-use appropriate language: avoid slang, clichés and excess verbiage
-identify and verify your information
-hearsay: case law reflects you may include hearsay in the APSI if it is identified as
such
-false information: be sure of the facts
-disclosure: if information would be damaging to the source or others if disclosed,
discuss with supervisor before including
✔✔8 ways in which documentation may be used: - ✔✔-identify potential problems which
other officers or agency professionals may encounter as they work with the probationer
-provide information upon which other may act
-provide information to the court
-justify actions taken by ourselves or others
-identify changes in status of the probationer
-make recommendations to others
-formally document information or events
-make a request of the court or supervisor
✔✔If an event or action is not documented it did not happen? - ✔✔If an event or action
is not documented it did not happen!
✔✔Documentation is a part of the official court record. - ✔✔Documentation is a part of
the official court record.
✔✔Documentation should be: - ✔✔-clear
-concise
-effective
-factual
-reduces the likelihood of legal liabilities
✔✔14 principles of good documentation: - ✔✔-should be completed as soon as
possible after the event
-all entries must be dated
-keep your documentation brief and to the point
-do not back date an entry
-document all telephone call and collateral contacts relevant to the case
-use only approved abbreviations and acronyms
-include only factual information
-never delete an existing electronic entry
-when handwriting an entry, do not scratch out, erase or use white out
-if handwriting, write legibly
-if handwriting, use blue or black ink
, -sign all entries, either by hand or electronically
-if filling out forms, do not leave blank spaces
-when documenting, known and follow the policies and procedure of your department
✔✔8 reasons why well-kept chronological recording are important: - ✔✔-court
expectations: used in revocations
-case management: monitor and evaluate case plan
-CJAD: uses chronos to verify that standards have been met
-accountability to the public
-internal case audits
-other officers: who take case or fill in
-legal liability: can verify good faith
-probationer deserves accurate account of progress
✔✔Generally, chronological recordings should document what information: - ✔✔-who
-what
-when
-where
-why
✔✔The "who, when and where" of chronos are answered by stating: - ✔✔-the people
involved
-the date
-the location of event
✔✔The "why" of chronos is answered by stating: - ✔✔-the significance of the contact
✔✔The "how" of chronos is answered by stating: - ✔✔-the intervention methods that the
office used to influence the probationer toward solving the problems that have
contributed to his legal difficulties
✔✔The "what" of chronos is answered by stating: - ✔✔-basic information such as office
visits, phone calls, field visits, contacts with collateral contacts, and staffings with
supervisors
-significant events such as accomplishments, changes in behavior both positive and
negative, unusual behavior, any crisis or violation to community supervision and your
response
-assessments and interventions such as the probationer's progress on the case plan,
compliance with conditions of supervision and your conclusions and interventions
✔✔PDAP is: - ✔✔-an example of a problem-oriented record keeping system
-Problem, Data, Assessment, and Plan
QUESTIONS SET A+
✔✔The primary purpose of a PSI is: - ✔✔-to present the sentencing judge with
information to consider about the defendant's life and character when making
sentencing decisions
✔✔5 secondary purposes of the PSI: - ✔✔-the PSI give the CSCD some input into the
decision of what will happen to an offender once he is placed on community supervision
-the PSI provides the CSO with a base of information that can make supervision of the
offender more effective
-the PSI assists the TDCJ-Corrections Institutions Division (TDCJ-CID) in classification
-the PSI assists the Parole Board in the parole decision making
-the PSI provides information to assist other residential programs
✔✔3 major procedures in PSI preparation: - ✔✔-obtaining/reviewing reports and
records
-interviewing offenders/relevant parties
-organizing information/compiling the report
✔✔6 PSI content areas required by law: - ✔✔-circumstances of the offense
-amount of restitution
-criminal history of the offender
-social history of the offender
-client supervision plan
-military service
✔✔The court may require/request additional information, including: - ✔✔-an
alcohol/drug abuse evaluation
-a psychological evaluation which includes a determination of the offenders IQ and an
adaptive behavior score
-a sex offender evaluation for treatment, specialized supervision or rehabilitation
,✔✔7 guidelines an office should keep in mind when compiling an PSI: - ✔✔-be sure of
the facts
-maintain objectivity: only include your feeling/opinions if they are identified as such and
they can be backed up with facts
-use appropriate language: avoid slang, clichés and excess verbiage
-identify and verify your information
-hearsay: case law reflects you may include hearsay in the APSI if it is identified as
such
-false information: be sure of the facts
-disclosure: if information would be damaging to the source or others if disclosed,
discuss with supervisor before including
✔✔8 ways in which documentation may be used: - ✔✔-identify potential problems which
other officers or agency professionals may encounter as they work with the probationer
-provide information upon which other may act
-provide information to the court
-justify actions taken by ourselves or others
-identify changes in status of the probationer
-make recommendations to others
-formally document information or events
-make a request of the court or supervisor
✔✔If an event or action is not documented it did not happen? - ✔✔If an event or action
is not documented it did not happen!
✔✔Documentation is a part of the official court record. - ✔✔Documentation is a part of
the official court record.
✔✔Documentation should be: - ✔✔-clear
-concise
-effective
-factual
-reduces the likelihood of legal liabilities
✔✔14 principles of good documentation: - ✔✔-should be completed as soon as
possible after the event
-all entries must be dated
-keep your documentation brief and to the point
-do not back date an entry
-document all telephone call and collateral contacts relevant to the case
-use only approved abbreviations and acronyms
-include only factual information
-never delete an existing electronic entry
-when handwriting an entry, do not scratch out, erase or use white out
-if handwriting, write legibly
-if handwriting, use blue or black ink
, -sign all entries, either by hand or electronically
-if filling out forms, do not leave blank spaces
-when documenting, known and follow the policies and procedure of your department
✔✔8 reasons why well-kept chronological recording are important: - ✔✔-court
expectations: used in revocations
-case management: monitor and evaluate case plan
-CJAD: uses chronos to verify that standards have been met
-accountability to the public
-internal case audits
-other officers: who take case or fill in
-legal liability: can verify good faith
-probationer deserves accurate account of progress
✔✔Generally, chronological recordings should document what information: - ✔✔-who
-what
-when
-where
-why
✔✔The "who, when and where" of chronos are answered by stating: - ✔✔-the people
involved
-the date
-the location of event
✔✔The "why" of chronos is answered by stating: - ✔✔-the significance of the contact
✔✔The "how" of chronos is answered by stating: - ✔✔-the intervention methods that the
office used to influence the probationer toward solving the problems that have
contributed to his legal difficulties
✔✔The "what" of chronos is answered by stating: - ✔✔-basic information such as office
visits, phone calls, field visits, contacts with collateral contacts, and staffings with
supervisors
-significant events such as accomplishments, changes in behavior both positive and
negative, unusual behavior, any crisis or violation to community supervision and your
response
-assessments and interventions such as the probationer's progress on the case plan,
compliance with conditions of supervision and your conclusions and interventions
✔✔PDAP is: - ✔✔-an example of a problem-oriented record keeping system
-Problem, Data, Assessment, and Plan
