NCJ Number
117563
Date Published
1987
Length
37 pages
Annotation
This study was designed to determine why so many parolees in California do not successfully complete their terms of parole supervision upon release from State prison.
Abstract
Parolees from five California Department of Corrections (CDC) parole units, released in late 1985 and early 1986, were analyzed with respect to their social, criminal, and parole behaviors. It was found that the proportion of CDC parolees failing to complete their period of parole supervision since 1975 increased from 23 to 53 percent. Although the proportion of parolees returned to custody for new felony crimes committed while on parole supervision increased by 5 percent, the largest increase occurred for parolees having their paroles administratively revoked by the California Board of Prison Terms. Dramatic increases in administrative revocations were due to declining levels of financial assistance and narcotic treatment resources for parolees, increased parole supervision caseloads, a shift in public and law enforcement attitudes toward parolees and law violators in general, jail overcrowding, and a more efficient law enforcement/parole supervision system. Primary reasons for the Board's revocations were indications that parolees became involved in property crimes (theft and burglary) and narcotics (use and sale). A relatively low proportion of paroles were revoked for violent crimes. Most inmates released from prison to parole were unemployed and had a narcotics problem. Further, most parolees required relatively high levels of supervision and program services. A substantial number of parolees were either reassigned to at least one other parole agent or transferred to another unit during the course of the parole supervision period. 10 tables, 1 figure, 3 references.