NCJ Number
179529
Date Published
1999
Length
61 pages
Annotation
This report provides a statistical profile of persons released on parole in Hawaii during fiscal year 1995-96 and reports on revocation rates during the subsequent 2-year period; parolee characteristics related to parole success or failure are presented, along with an analysis of the factors that can be used to predict parole survival or revocation.
Abstract
The records of 604 persons released from prison between July 1, 1995, and June 30, 1996, were obtained from the Hawaii Paroling Authority, the Department of Public Safety, and the Department of the Attorney General. The cases were tracked for a minimum of 2 years and up to a maximum of 3 years after the release date. Parolees in the cohort were mostly adult males in their 30's; were disproportionately Polynesian (Hawaiian and Samoan) and African-American; had been committed to prison for crimes of violence and felony property offenses; were heavy and problematic users of alcohol and drugs; and had extensive records of previous arrests, felony convictions, and prior sentences to probation and parole, often with revocation. During the 2- to 3-year follow-up, approximately half of those released were returned to custody and had their parole revoked, mostly for violating parole conditions. The likelihood of revocation was higher for parolees who were first convicted or adjudicated delinquent at an early age; were released to parole at a younger age; assessed as drug addicted at the time of their last prison sentence; who had not had regular satisfactory employment in the year prior to entering prison; were property offenders; were convicted of two or more prior felonies; and had their probation or parole revoked in the past. Based on these findings, recommendations are offered for parole supervision that provides more retentive multiphasic programs of drug-use abatement and relapse prevention as well as job training and employment support. 27 tables and 7 charts