NCJ Number
167539
Date Published
Unknown
Length
62 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated a Treatment Alternatives to Street Crimes (TASC) program in Southeastern Colorado; this outcome evaluation examined whether participation in TASC had an impact on recidivism.
Abstract
The treatment group (n=84) consisted of parolees who were seen in TASC between January 1, 1990, and May 14, 1992. Each subject was seen at initial evaluation and at least one other contact. The control group (n=79) was a comparable group of parolees who were randomly selected from a population of men released from a Colorado Department of Corrections facility between January 1, 1988, and December 30, 1990. All data were collected from archives provided by the Colorado Department of Corrections. The recidivism study was done retrospectively using the Management Information System, a computerized telecommunications and information system. For the purposes of this study, recidivism was defined in terms of rearrest, return to prison, type of new crime, and return to substance use. Results show that completing the TASC program had a mixed impact on recidivism when compared to the control group. TASC subjects who completed the program had only a 9-percent rearrest rate compared to 44.4 percent of those who were terminated from TASC and 26 percent of the control group. When considered in conjunction with the return to prison rates by group, the pattern shows that the TASC completion group had consistently fewer rearrests and returns to prison than the control group; and the TASC negative completion group consistently had the greatest number of subjects who recidivated. It is possible, however, that the confound in selection is the reason for this result. This report also identifies where TASC is not having an apparent impact on the subjects and compares the findings with a previous TASC outcome study. 7 tables and 29 references