An Experimental Evaluation of the Impact of Intensive Supervision on the Recidivism of High-Risk Probationers

• NCJ Number: 252241
• Date Published: January 2017
• Author(s): Jordan M. Hyatt, Geoffrey C. Barnes
• Award: This project will test, with a randomized controlled trial, an intensive community supervision strategy for probationers and parolees who are at extremely high risk of committing homicidal acts.

Annotation

This article reports the results of an experimental evaluation of the impact of Intensive Supervision Probation (ISP) on probationer recidivism.

Abstract

Participants, who were assessed at an increased likelihood of committing serious crimes and not ordered to specialized supervision, were randomly assigned to ISP (n=447) or standard probation (n=385). ISP probationers received more restrictive supervision and experienced more office contacts, home visitations, and drug screenings. After 12 months, there was no difference in offending. This equivalence held across multiple types of crimes, including violent, nonviolent, property, and drug offenses, as well as in a survival analysis conducted for each offense type. ISP probationers absconded from supervision were charged with technical violations and were incarcerated at significantly higher rates. Policy implications for these results are discussed. 88 references (Publisher abstract modified)