NCJ Number
77392
Date Published
Unknown
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Three reports (1) compare the outcome of Massachusetts parolees with those in other jurisdictions, (2) compare outcomes for Massachusetts parolees and mandatory releasees, and (3) present findings from a survey of the kinds of offenses committed by Massachusetts parolees more than 1 year after release.
Abstract
Massachusetts parolees were found to have a considerably higher successful parole completion rate (84 percent) than the national success rate (75 percent). The revocation/recommitment rate was lower for Massachusetts parolees than other parole populations (15.7 percent versus 24.8 percent). The Massachusetts Parole Board, however, was found to have a lower early discharge rate (7 percent) compared with that of other parole boards. In 1979, Massachusetts parolees had a lower revocation/recommitment rate (24.8 percent) than mandatory releasees (30.9 percent). Also, parolees had a lower absconder rate (9.8 percent) when compared with mandatory releasees (17.4 percent). Parolees had a lower absconder rate even though their time 'at risk' (time on parole) was twice as long as that of mandatory releasees. A recent Massachusetts parole study reviewed the active client caseloads of 47 parole officers in 7 regional offices. A total of 3,186 persons were under active supervision as of February 28, 1981. Of that total, 1,730 (54 percent) had been on parole for more than 1 year. Of this number, 74 percent had committed crimes against persons or sex offenses. The largest proportion of violent crimes reported was armed robbery (44 percent), followed by rape (11 percent), manslaughter (10 percent), unarmed robbery (9 percent), armed assault (8 percent), and murder (8 percent). Possible implications of the findings of these reports are discussed. A sample certificate of parole of Massachusetts is appended, and tabular data are provided.