NCJ Number
43616
Date Published
1977
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THE OUTCOMES OF A CORRECTIONAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AIMED AT REDUCING RECIDIVISM BY OFFERING A WORK RELEASE ARRANGEMENT AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO COUNTY JAIL INCARCERATION ARE EVALUATED.
Abstract
THE PROJECT, UNDERTAKEN BY THE THURSTON COUNTY, WASH., SHERIFF'S OFFICE, HAS THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES: TO CREATE A FULLY OPERATIVE WORK RELEASE PROGRAM; TO MAINTAIN ACCEPTABLE RATES OF RECIDIVISM, EMPLOYMENT, ABSENCE WITHOUT LEAVE, AND ESCAPE FOR ALL CLIENTS ENTERING THE PROGRAM; AND TO CREATE A COST-EFFICIENT MEANS OF INCARCERATION, AS MEASURED BY DIRECT SAVINGS WITHIN THE FACILITY FROM WHICH CLIENTS ARE REFERRED OR TO WHICH CLIENTS WOULD HAVE BEEN REFERRED WITHOUT THE PROGRAM. THE LEVELS OF ACHIEVEMENT EXPECTED OF THE PROGRAM ARE STATED, AND THE FIRST 1.5 YEARS OF PROGRAM OPERATIONS ARE EVALUATED IN TERMS OF THE EXPECTATIONS. DURING THE EVALUATION PERIOD, THE WORK RELEASE PROGRAM ACCEPTED 144 CLIENTS. NO INCIDENTS OF ESCAPE OR ABSENCE WITHOUT LEAVE OCCURRED. THE LIMITED INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON RECIDIVISM AMONG PROGRAM CLIENTS APPEARS TO BE FAVORABLE. APPROXIMATELY 10 PERCENT OF THE CLIENTS WERE RETURNED TO THE COUNTY JAIL FOR RULE INFRACTIONS. APPROXIMATELY 75 PERCENT OF THE CLIENTS REMAINED EMPLOYED FOR AT LEAST 2 MONTHS AFTER THEIR RELEASE. TOTAL COST SAVINGS FOR THE COUNTY WAS $28,765. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE PROGRAM BE CONTINUED. NO DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM OPERATIONS IS PROVIDED.