NCJ Number
180542
Date Published
1997
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This report responds to the "Supplemental Report of the 1996 Budget Act" in providing information on the California Department of Corrections' Preventing Parolee Failure Program (PPFP), which combines consistent decision making in response to parole violations with improved delivery of services to parolees.
Abstract
The overall program goal is to prevent parole failure by helping parolees overcome barriers to success and by responding more effectively to parole violations when they do occur. Formal training for parole supervisors and administrators, along with enhanced management information, provide the means for consistent decision making. The service delivery programs funded by PPFP provide needed resources to help parolees avoid failure and assist the parole agents to more effectively control those parolees not at risk of engaging in violent or other serious parole violations. The Corrections Department has evaluated each program; some of these evaluations included an assessment of the individual program's effect on recidivism. This report presents the methodologies and results of these evaluations. The evaluations found that expected services were provided to more parolees than had been planned; and each of the individual programs assessed regarding recidivism showed a statistically significant reduction in returns to prison, ranging from 8 to 10 percentage points. Recommendations for program improvement are offered.