Effectiveness of Intensive Supervision With High Risk Probationers (From Intermediate Punishments, P 99-112, 1987, Belinda R McCarthy, ed. - See NCJ-105334)

• NCJ Number: 105340
• Author(s): E J Latessa
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: Criminal Justice Press/Willow Tree Press
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: An earlier version of this paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences in Orlando, Florida, March 1986.

Annotation

This study examined the effectiveness of an Ohio intensive supervision program (ISP) for high-risk felony probationers by comparing client characteristics, service delivery, and outcomes for 172 ISP probationers and 133 regular probationers over a 1-year period (1984-1985).

Abstract

Compared to controls, ISP probationers had significantly more prior involvement with the criminal justice system and more special problems. While they received more services overall, and significantly more in the area of mental health and welfare, they also received significantly less individual and family counseling than did controls. While ISP subjects received more contacts, the number of face-to-face contacts was below program goals. Overall, the high-risk group had 20.3 percent incarcerated as compared to 13.4 percent for the control group; but this difference was not significant. However, offenses of the high-risk group were no more serious than those of controls. Finally, ISP subjects were found to be making a less positive social adjustment than were controls. Results suggest that, although the program did not operate as an ideal of intensive supervision, it is possible to divert high-risk/need offenders from prison without seriously jeopardizing community safety. 15 references.