Compliance and Sanctions in the Community: Felony Probation in Hawaii, 1996-1999

• NCJ Number: 184790
• Author(s): Gene Kassebaum; Janet Davidson-Coronado; Joe Allen; Paul Perrone
• Date Published: June 2000
• Length: 58 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; Hawaii Dept of the Attorney General
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Statistics
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The purposes of this report are to provide a statistical portrait of the adult felony probation caseload in the State of Hawaii, to determine the number of felony probationers who do not succeed in complying with their probation conditions, and to identify predictors of probation non-compliance.

Abstract

The study was based on an analysis of case records of adults sentenced to probation in all four court circuits in Hawaii during fiscal year 1995-1996 and on a validation sample of cases sentenced in fiscal year 1996-1997. Analysis of factors predicting probation condition violations was performed using probationer case records for 36 months from the start of their probation in fiscal year 1995-1996. Findings were replicated on different cases entering probation in fiscal year 1996-1997 and tracked for a 24-month exposure. In addition to case analysis, interviews were conducted with probation officers concerning a special sample of cases to explore decision-making about probation supervision and revocation. Most persons sentenced to probation received 60 months of supervision following a conviction for a Felony C level. A substantial minority of persons received deferred acceptance of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere because they appeared to the court to have a good chance for successfully completing probation. Two-thirds or regular probation cases had no previous felony conviction. While many had been sentenced for crimes against persons (28 percent), most had been sentenced for property or drug offenses (36.8 percent and 26.7 percent, respectively). Twenty percent of regular felony probationers were women. Nearly 7 of 10 probationers were not arrested while on probation, 20 percent were arrested on misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor charges only, and 11 percent were arrested on felony charges. The violation rate for all felony cases was 34.6 percent. Implications of the findings for probation decision-making are discussed. Appendixes provide further information on probation conditions, risk and need scales, probation outcomes, and data analysis methods. 11 references, 38 tables, and 8 charts