NCJ Number
142808
Date Published
1991
Length
53 pages
Annotation
This statistical overview of the Earned Eligibility Program of New York State's Department of Correctional Services indicates that 67,193 inmates were evaluated for a Certificate of Earned Eligibility and had an initial hearing before the Parole Board between July 1987 and September 1991.
Abstract
Of the 67,193 inmates eligible for a certificate, 46,889 (70 percent) actually received one. A total of 12,522 (19 percent) were denied a certificate and 7,782 (11 percent) were granted noncertifiable status at the time of review, primarily due to insufficient time in programs through no fault of their own. Inmates who received certificates were substantially more likely to be granted parole than those denied certificates or those granted noncertifiable status. During the 1987-1991 period, 81 percent of inmates who received certificates were granted parole, compared to 36 percent of those denied certificates and 53 percent of those granted noncertifiable status. There was a substantial increase in the release rate for inmates who received certificates, while controlling for the reduction in release rates of persons denied certificates or granted noncertifiable status. Based on the previous 50 percent release rate at initial hearings, 36,620 initial releases were projected for the 1987-1991 period. The actual number of initial releases was 48,614, an additional 11,994 releases above the projected level. The additional releases represented a significant savings in terms of operating and construction costs. A followup study found that the return rate of released individuals issued certificates was significantly lower than the return rate of a preprogram comparison group. 25 tables