NCJ Number
85064
Date Published
1974
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Since research has shown that institutional programs do not rehabilitate and longer prison sentences do not deter offenders, California has undertaken programs of rational risk taking that involve reducing the time offenders are institutionalized, with favorable results.
Abstract
In 1965, the Parole Division in California adopted a policy of reducing the number of parolees returned to prison for violating technical conditions of parole. Parole agents were encouraged to find alternative ways of dealing with the parolee in the community while recommending a return to prison only as a last resort. Parolees allowed to stay in the community after a first violation were no more likely to be arrested during the next 12 months and not much more likely to be returned to prison. Because of the more lenient policy, the number of parolees absconding was reduced. A second program established was the Optimum Release Program, which gave the parole agent the flexibility to release up to 60 days early any inmate coming to his caseload who had been able to put together the best possible parole program for that particular time. The inmate can now obtain early release by efforts to find a job, a place to live, and generally prepare for life on the outside during prerelease furloughs. Inmates released early show better results than those not so released, but they tend to be a better risk group. In addition, added efforts have been made to grant more parole dates. Overall, these three approaches have proven to be less costly and more humane than previous policies emphasizing institutionalization, while threats to the public appear not to have increased. Tabular data and 15 bibliographic entries are provided.