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Interstate Compact pilot gives states a matrix to weigh community supervision over automatic retaking
Summary
At the Interstate Compact meeting, staff reported a pilot program using a scoring matrix that evaluates employment, housing, treatment and prior violations to guide whether a sending state should retake a supervisee or allow continued community supervision; the pilot covered nine states and officials said broader rollout is likely in 2026.
April Simmons, who handles interstate compact reporting and instruction, told members the adult compact approved rule updates that took effect April 1 and that the national office rolled out a new ICAOS website.
"We had a training — a statewide training on March 12, which we had 119 individuals attend," Simmons said, describing education delivered to users about the changes. She said a pilot program tested a new retaking "matrix" intended to keep individuals in the receiving state when community supervision and supports make that feasible.
The matrix tallies severity and stability factors — including employment, housing, treatment, supervision level and prior violations — and produces a score used to guide whether a violation report and mandatory retaking are appropriate. "So now what states are doing, there's a matrix system that you have before you do a violation," Simmons said. She added that the approach shifts decision-making from a strict black-and-white standard toward assessing risk, needs and responsivity.
Bernice Corley asked the group to see the matrix. "Can we see the matrix, what it looks like?" she asked, and staff said handouts were available and the matrix at the front table shows the case factors and scoring categories.
Members discussed how the new practice creates conversations between sending and receiving states about discretionary retaking — where a receiving state may choose not to retake and the sending state can still elect to retake its person. Simmons said nine states participated in the pilot, which concluded in March 2026, and that researchers are reviewing results to guide wider implementation.
Supporters said the change is intended to reduce disruptive returns to sending states when local treatment and supports in the receiving state would better serve supervision goals. Members emphasized that local counties will need to adapt procedures so responses line up with what individuals need rather than relying solely on automatic retaking.
The national office's new ICAOS website and the pilot's research review were described as next steps; Simmons said broader implementation will likely roll out gradually so users can adjust to the new process.
