What is the proper action if a probationer is avoiding appointments?

Engaging in motivational interviewing and documenting the situation are key components of effectively addressing a probationer's avoidance of appointments. Motivational interviewing is a client-centered approach that facilitates open dialogue and encourages behavior change by exploring the motivations behind a probationer's actions. This technique helps build rapport between the officer and the probationer, making it more likely for the probationer to express any underlying issues that may be preventing them from attending appointments, such as personal challenges, fear, or misunderstanding the requirements.

By documenting instances of appointment avoidance, the officer creates a record that could be valuable for future discussions and decision-making. This documentation serves not only to track the probationer's compliance but also to aid in understanding their situation better, which is useful when attempting to motivate the probationer to engage more positively with their supervisory requirements.

This approach fosters an atmosphere of support and cooperation, rather than punitive measures that could exacerbate the probationer's situation. In contrast, assuming uncooperativeness or prematurely terminating the probation program does not address the root causes of the problem and could lead to ineffective outcomes or a miss on opportunities for rehabilitation. Scheduling more frequent appointments without first understanding the underlying reasons for avoidance might overwhelm the probationer further, rather than help them to engage effectively.