NCJ Number
140414
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 36 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1992) Pages: 335-347
Date Published
1992
Length
13 pages
Annotation
The presentence investigation (PSI) completed by an agent of the court provides considerable information on the success or failure of first-time felony offenders on probation supervision.
Abstract
This conclusion is based on a study of 427 first-time felony probationers sentenced to community supervision in Eastern Pasco County, Florida, during 1980 through 1982. The majority of offenders were white (80.2 percent), rather than black (18.2 percent) or Hispanic (1.6 percent). Nearly two-thirds were between 18 and 34 years of age. Theft- related crimes accounted for almost half of the total offenses, while crimes of aggression accounted for 25.5 percent. Probation sentence length averaged 32.9 months. Slightly over 60 percent completed their period of community supervision violation-free. The relation between factors identified in the PSI and the success or failure of first- time offenders on probation supervision was analyzed. After the factors were isolated, those showing the strongest link with probation supervision were organized into a rating scale to be used by probation officers when making sentencing recommendations related to first-time felony offenders. Age was the strongest predictor of probation supervision outcome; younger offenders had greater difficulty adhering to probation conditions than did older clients. Individuals who were employed and financially stable also did well on probation supervision when compared to those with less stable employment and lower monthly income. In addition, married offenders were more likely than nonmarried offenders to complete probation violation-free, and offenders who served in the military did better than those who did not. 31 references, 4 tables, and 1 figure