NCJ Number
203706
Date Published
January 2002
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This report analyzes the issues involved in designing a system of post-incarceration supervision, focusing on the Massachusetts correctional system.
Abstract
It is a known fact that the majority of incarcerated inmates will be released from prison and returned to the community. In addition, due to changes in the sentencing laws which have increased the lengths of sentences, more released inmates are receiving no criminal justice supervision following release. Focusing on the correctional system of Massachusetts, this report analyzes the pertinent issues involved in designing a plan and system in the supervision of released inmates. It addresses who should be supervised, as well as what form supervision should take. The report is divided into four sections. The first section reviews the make-up of the prison population in Massachusetts based sentencing outcomes from two Massachusetts court systems, as well as release statistics, patterns, and recidivism. A comparison is made on a national level. The second section analyzes the determinants of release from correctional institutions, specifically the conditions of release, sentencing reform, the practice of parole, and pre-release practice of correctional institutions. The fact that nearly all inmates are at some point released back to the community, leads to the question of what happens after release from incarceration. In this section, emphasis is placed on probation and parole supervision and the role of the Office of Community Corrections (OCC). The final section focuses on the need for a more systematic approach to post-incarceration supervision to ensure supervision for all released inmates which includes current system reforms and identifying who should supervise inmates after release from incarceration. The building of a substantial system of post-release supervision will require an investment in time and resources.