NCJ Number
129455
Date Published
1990
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This report examines the 2-year release outcome for releasees from the Pardons and Parole Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. It considers three samples of releasees: the halfway house placement group (201); the Pre-Parole Transfer program placement group (176); and the general release or no placement group (307).
Abstract
Overall the halfway house placements, a high-risk group, had slightly lower recidivism rates than the general release population; and the pre-parole transfer group, a low risk population, had the lowest recidivism rate of the three groups. Various socio-demographic and criminal history variables significantly affected the recidivism rates. Minorities, releasees without high school degrees, and drug or alcohol abusers as well as releasees with steady employment prior to incarceration and high-risk cases all had lower recidivism rates when placed in a halfway house or a pre-parole transfer facility. However, offense type, prior incarceration, and prior parole variables did not significantly affect the return to prison rates. These data suggest that cases requiring vocational/educational assistance, substance abuse counseling, or those with high recidivism without transition assistance seem to benefit the most from targeted placement and resources. 4 tables