NCJ Number
187289
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 25 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2000 Pages: 1-4-18-19
Date Published
December 2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This report on the methodology and results of a 1996 study of probationer recidivism in Michigan used a randomly drawn sample that represented 79 of 81 counties in the State, yielding results that are likely representative of the State.
Abstract
The sample was composed of offenders who were sentenced to probation in February and March 1996. A total of 1,700 probationers were randomly selected from the total population of 4,021 offenders sentenced to probation in Michigan for these months. Probationers' records were retrieved from the counties in which they were committed. Data collection was completed in May 1999, thus encompassing a 30-month period for measuring recidivism. Overall, a total of 1,574 cases were found, and available information was coded. Study findings show two patterns that are particularly salient. First, the results show that the initial supervision classification of probationers was associated with their rates of violations, their types of violations, and revocations. Probationers given minimum supervision had fewer numbers of violations and had generally minor forms of violations. The implication is that the minimum-level classification was appropriate for these probationers; the results also suggest the need to carefully monitor those offenders given medium and maximum levels of supervision, since their rates of violations were substantial. A second salient pattern shown in the results is the "leeway" that probation officers give probationers before recommending a prison revocation. Although there were many probationers who were revoked to prison for technical violations, this was only after repeated violations; however, violations because of new crimes almost certainly were met with prison revocations. The results also showed that revocation was higher for probationers who had more intense levels of initial supervision. This preliminary examination shows that further investigation of the types of violations and the sanctions meted out by probation officers before they revoke probation will be helpful in delineating the dynamics of the probation process and will assist researchers in better understanding the responses of probationers to different intervention techniques. 4 tables, 1 figure, and 14 references