Evaluation of the Adams County Sheriff's Work Alternative Program (SWAP)

• NCJ Number: 172258
• Author(s): R J Schmitz; P S Wassenberg; L A Gransky; P L Hagner
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 153 pages
• Grant Number(s): 96-DB-MU-0017
• Sponsoring Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA); Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority
• Corporate Author: University of Illinois at Springfield
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: From the series, Research and Program Evaluation in Illinois: Studies on Drug Abuse and Violent Crime.

Annotation

This evaluation assesses the implementation and impact of the Adams County (Illinois) Sheriff's Work Alternative Program (SWAP), which was designed to reduce jail overcrowding and provide a means for sentenced offenders to repay their debt to society by performing public works.

Abstract

Initially, the program was to include persons convicted of drunk driving as well as misdemeanants and felons sentenced for nonviolent offenses. One goal for the SWAP was to reduce crowding in the county jail by removing sentenced individuals from the jail to work crews to perform labor in lieu of a jail sentence. Operation of the SWAP required the transfer of two full-time Sheriff's Department employees to act as coordinator and field supervisor. The SWAP has been used by the judiciary and the probation department as a last resort community service work provider for offenders who were unable to complete their community service through other available options. Although the SWAP did succeed in removing some individuals from the jail who would otherwise have been incarcerated, most of the individuals working in the SWAP remained in the jail during their non-work hours. During the evaluation period, other factors affected the Adams County jail population, primarily a jail expansion. The majority of offenders placed on the SWAP were convicted of property or procedural offenses such as retail theft or violation of order of protection. The beneficiaries of the SWAP work crews included units of local government, charitable organizations, and civic groups. Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the services and generally commended the crews for their discipline and hard work. Interviews with community leaders and recipients of SWAP services showed broad support for the program. 17 tables, 2 references, and appended evaluation instruments and program materials