NCJ Number
149320
Date Published
1992
Length
65 pages
Annotation
These reports evaluate the quality and effectiveness of Level III intensive supervision probation (ISP) as an alternative to incarceration in Delaware and describes the types of offenders in this program.
Abstract
The evaluation used data as of December 31, 1990. The research noted that serious felons or recidivist misdemeanants are the offenders recommended for ISP. An analysis of the criminal histories of the ISP offenders and regular probationers confirms that these clients are appropriately serious offenders and that ISP is not widening the net of social control nor putting inappropriate, nonserious offenders in ISP. ISP uses progressively restrictive phases as recommended by national standards, but offenders in the most intensive phase receive much less supervision than mandated due to the large caseloads of each probation officer. ISP costs $2,400 per client per year, which is much less than other sentencing options, especially incarceration. Recommended changes in the program include increasing staff to provide for the current caseload and providing adequate cars, telephones, and office space to support the probation officers. Figures, tables, and reference notes