NCJ Number
155596
Date Published
1995
Length
96 pages
Annotation
This analysis of methods of addressing probation violations concludes that the design and use of written violation response guidelines should be extremely beneficial to a probation agency.
Abstract
A large proportion of the increasing numbers of prison inmates are technical violators. Research has revealed that many technical violators, especially absconders, are low- risk offenders for whom incarceration is not a desired outcome. As a result of this situation, several probation and parole departments have established violation response guidelines to provide a clear statement of objective, standardized procedures for responding to violations; list sanctions that can be applied in specific circumstances; and provide some control over the tendency to file revocation petitions for low-level and low-risk violations. The most comprehensive guidelines appear to be those used by South Carolina, Iowa, Macomb County (Mich.), and Pima County (Ariz.). In these guidelines, the favored response to violations is the use of intermediate sanctions. Before revising its methods of handling violations, a corrections agency must address several specific issues. Next, it must take 10 steps to analyze and effectively revise the process. It must also recognize that violations policy is only part of general supervision policy, and violations present an opportunity for positive intervention in the lives of offenders. Figures, charts, appended figures and lists, and 66 references