NCJ Number
184254
Journal
On Good Authority Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: December 1998 Pages: 1-4
Date Published
December 1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Data from the more than 2,400 adult probationers discharged from probation in Illinois during a 4-week period in November and December 1997 formed the basis of an analysis of probationer characteristics and case outcomes.
Abstract
The research focused on probationer characteristics, the current offense, court-ordered sanctions, case outcomes, and quantitative and qualitative data regarding performance while on probation. The majority of adults on probation in Illinois completed their sentence satisfactorily and had no technical violations or arrests during their period of supervision. However, certain characteristics were associated with higher rates of probation violations, arrests, and a negative discharge from probation. These characteristics included a history of drug abuse, prior involvement in the justice system, the nature of the current offense, and the probationer’s age. The fulfillment of probation conditions provides revenues to the justice system, restitution to victims, and restitution to the community through court-ordered community services. A substantial portion of probationers experienced improvement in their attitudes, employment stability, and family relationships during their supervision. Findings suggested the need for a continued and expanded focus on higher-risk probationers and the establishment and expansion of programs to address their criminal tendencies. Figures and table