This report presents the findings and methodology of a descriptive and comparative analysis of successful Day Reporting Center (DRC) clients and standard probation (SP) clients in Franklin County, PA.
DRCs are an intermediate sanction used to alleviate prison overcrowding, improve offender management, decrease costs, and improve supervision alternatives. The current study found that SP clients were more likely than DRC clients to be re-arrested during the time period specified; this difference is statistically significant. The evaluators caution, however, that there are limitations to the study that may weaken the relationship. The report advises that given the positive impact of successful completion of the DRC program on offender recidivism, the development of strategies to engage DRC offenders in completing the program is critical. The report recommends conducting randomized controlled studies (groups of clients) in order to determine DRC effectiveness. Also, more sophisticated statistical analyses should be conducted, controlling for certain variables. In addition, a Probation and DRC classification profile instrument database should be developed for all new incoming clients who participate in the DRC program. Further, bio-psycho-social assessments should be more widely implemented in assessing client progress on several domains. The evaluation used a sample of 362 offenders who were referred to the DRC from 2006 to 2009. The SP sample consisted of 299 offenders who were released from jail during the 2004 calendar year. Data were obtained on gender, age at discharge, severity of offense prior to probation, number of lifetime prior offenses, jail days prior to current offense, number of times in jail, jail days 1 year after discharge, times in jail 1 year after discharge, total jail days after discharge, total jail times after discharge, severity of the offense after discharge, and time to first arrest after discharge. 4 tables, 2 figures, and 2 references