NCJ Number
146548
Date Published
1993
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This report assesses the Federal Bureau of Prisons' (BOP) compliance with the requirement to provide release plans for inmates, as specified in an agreement between BOP and the Probation and Pretrial Services Division of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
Abstract
Researchers followed a sample of 73 inmates after their release from prison to supervision by the Probation and Pretrial Services Office. BOP failed to provide release plans for 42 of these inmates within 60-90 days, as required by its written agreement with Probation and Pretrial Services. Of the 42 inmates, 20 did not have release plans, and the plans for 22 were sent late. The late plans did not allow probation officers enough time to investigate and approve the release plans before the inmates' release. The findings cannot be generalized to all BOP facilities and inmates released. The 10 prisons from which the sample was drawn, however, were selected after consultation with BOP officials, so as to reflect the diversity of facilities. As specified in the written agreement, release plans should include information on the inmate's proposed residence and employment or the probability thereof. Some release plans lacked other information that, although not required by the agreement, both BOP and Probation officials agreed was important for inmate supervision in the community. This included information on inmate medical or psychiatric conditions or substance abuse treatment needs. BOP needs internal management controls to ensure that release plans are received 60 to 90 days before release, so there is enough time to investigate and approve the plan and make a new plan if necessary.