Day Reporting Centers for Criminal Offenders -- A Descriptive Analysis of Existing Programs

• NCJ Number: 125268
• Author(s): D G Parent
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 78 pages
• Contract Number(s): OJP-86-C-002
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: Abt Associates, Inc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Issues and Practices

Annotation

Day reporting centers (DRC) combine many features found in other innovative corrections programs, including electronically monitored curfews, random drug testing, and rigorous enforcement of supervision conditions.

Abstract

Originating in Great Britain, DRCs are now located in three states -- Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. Except for three programs operated by county sheriffs in Massachusetts, all DRCs are privately operated. For officials facing prison overcrowding and mandatory early release, DRCs are an attractive option providing diversionary and early release capacity relatively quickly and cheaply. DRCs can provide such intensive levels of contact that they can be viewed as a control almost equivalent to total confinement. They can target different populations -- pretrial detainees, offenders sentenced to jails or prisons, or probation or parole violators -- depending upon where the population pressures are most acute. Advocates maintain that day reporting may be a particularly effective intermediate sanction for drug-involved offenders. However, basic research is needed on its cost and effectiveness. 4 tables, bibliography, appendix.