NCJ Number
210213
Date Published
August 2002
Length
68 pages
Annotation
This report presents the methodology and findings from a study of criminal recidivism among felony offenders who completed one of seven of New York City's Alternative-to-Incarceration (ATI) programs.
Abstract
The ATI population analyzed consisted of felony offenders who completed any 1 of 7 ATI programs between July 1, 1998, and March 31, 2000, and then remained in the community thereafter (n=1,005). Each case was tracked for recidivism for up to 1 year after program completion, but not further than September 30, 2000. Rearrest was the primary indicator of recidivism. The recidivism of ATI program completers was compared to similar cases sentenced to straight probation or to incarceration (local jail or State prison). Each case was matched with a comparison case on gender, type and severity of the instant offense, prior criminal history, time at risk of recidivism (follow-up period), borough of prosecution, and detention status after criminal court arraignment. The study found that approximately 40 percent of the ATI participants were rearrested within 1 year of completing a program, and approximately 25 percent of the ATI participants were convicted on the first rearrest; approximately 20 percent of the first rearrests led to a felony indictment. The prevalence of recidivism among ATI participants did not differ significantly from that of offenders sentenced to probation or those discharged from State prison. Those released from jail were approximately 1.2 times more likely to recidivate than ATI participants. Further research is suggested to explain these findings. 7 tables, 7 figures, 4 references, and appended descriptions of the 7 ATI programs, the constructing of the matching variable, and program-specific comparisons of the type and severity of rearrest