NCJ Number
124402
Date Published
1989
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed the inmates released by the District of Columbia Department of Corrections to determine how many crimes they committed after release and to develop an accurate risk assessment tool to evaluate an inmate's readiness for release.
Abstract
The findings demonstrate that District of Columbia inmates serve longer terms than those of any other State jurisdiction and face great difficulties in attempting to reintegrate socially. The rate of rearrest for DC inmates is 50 to 70 percent lower than the rates reported by other State prison systems. The rate of rearrest for released inmates decreased by nearly one-half compared to their arrest rate prior to incarceration. Furthermore, only 15 percent of crimes committed by released inmates during the first year of release were violent. Finally, the vast majority of inmates do not attempt escape and avoid involvement in serious institutional disciplinary incidents. While the proposed Department of Corrections Community Risk Instrument has a moderate level of prediction, this report recommends revising and simplifying it to include ten criteria reflecting criminal history, institutional conduct, violence, drug abuse, job skills, and community stability. These revisions would improve the prediction level significantly. The proposed revised instrument, based on validation analysis, shows that nearly half of all released inmates are good risks for release and would not jeopardize public safety. 6 tables, 1 figure, 1 exhibit, 1 appendix. (Author abstract modified)