Analysis of Probation Revocation in the First Judicial District of Iowa

• NCJ Number: 182423
• Author(s): B. Keith Crew; Gene M. Lutz; Judith McDowell; Kristine Fahrney; Tim Sexton; Josh Duden
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 31 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Northern Iowa, Ctr for Social and Behavioral Research
• Sale Source: University of Northern Iowa, Ctr for Social and Behavioral Research
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Detailed information was obtained on probation in the First Judicial District of Iowa to analyze probation revocation rates, describe the impact of revocations on the correctional system, and examine probation officer use of intermediate sanctions to manage violations.

Abstract

The sample included 949 corrections clients who began their probation during 1995. Of these probationers, 342 were selected for analysis, including 172 whose probation was revoked within 18 months and 170 whose probation was not revoked within 18 months. The strongest predictors of probation revocation were age at the start of probation, negative associations with companions, diversity of prior convictions, and drug use. Persons whose interactions with companions were almost completely negative were 2.6 times more likely to have their probation revoked than those whose relationships were only occasionally or never adverse. Persons with three or more diverse prior convictions were twice as likely to have their probation revoked as those who did not. An analysis of probation officer responses to client misbehavior suggested that probation officers did not use revocation as a first recourse. Nearly two-thirds of revoked probationers incurred between four and six violations before having their probation revoked. Of revoked probationers, 23.3 percent had received a prior verbal or written warning and 36.6 percent had been committed to a residential facility or referred to a substance abuse group. After their probation was revoked, 75 percent went to the Iowa Medical Classification Center (IMCC) and only 13.5 percent went to jail. The IMCC was clearly the facility most affected by probation revocation. The authors conclude that probation revocation patterns are similar to "lifestyle criminality" and that multiple violations of probation terms are typical in Iowa. Appendixes include a map of the county of commitment for the probationer sample and the data collection form. 27 references, 12 tables, and 10 figures