NCJ Number
116850
Date Published
1989
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Wisconsin's Division of Corrections initiated a project in 1984 to develop intensive supervision procedures for high-risk offenders that would reduce their criminal activity while serving probation or parole terms in the community.
Abstract
A caseload limit of 40 offenders for a two-agent team was established to make close supervision possible. Agents were expected to design and implement supervisory procedures they felt worked best. Profile data recorded at project entry indicated that virtually all offenders had prior penal experience as a juvenile or adult, about 40 percent had a history of sexual assault, and about 40 percent used or possessed a weapon during a crime. More than 66 percent committed a crime while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Key elements of the project's intensive supervision procedures were the imposition of specialized probation and parole rules, mandatory daily activity scheduling, police registration and surveillance, agent surveillance, and supervisory rule enforcement. The high-risk offenders under close supervision were compared with a similar group of high-risk offenders supervised in the customary manner. New criminal convictions, parole violations, and offense seriousness were evaluated for both groups. Offenders under customary supervision had a criminal conviction rate five times greater than offenders under intensive supervision and were much more likely to be convicted of a violent crime. This finding suggests that intensive supervision significantly reduces criminal behavior. While high-risk offenders may be the best candidates for intensive supervision, the use of such supervision with offenders who have less serious criminal histories may also be warranted. Appendixes provide additional project information. Tabular data.