NCJ Number
103790
Date Published
Unknown
Length
25 pages
Annotation
The California Rand study finding of a 65-percent rearrest rate among 1,672 felons followed for 40 months raised major concerns about the threat posed by felons on probation. The present study attempted to replicate these findings in a sample of 2,083 Missouri felony probationers.
Abstract
Probationers were studied for a 40-month followup period (January 1980 to April 1983) in the two urban areas with the largest concentration of this population. Results indicate that overall rearrest rates were significantly higher in California: the rearrest rate in the Missouri sample was a respectable 28 percent. Missouri's reconviction rate was 12 percent compared to California's 51 percent, and new crimes committed by Missouri's probationers were 7.1 percent compared to California's 18 percent. A significant difference between the two States is Missouri's greater prudence in placing violent criminals on probation. For the Missouri sample, drug offenders were least likely to recidivate, while violent and property offenders were most likely to recidivate. Based on these results, it is concluded that felony probation is an effective alternative to prison in Missouri, and the Rand study may not be representative of felony probation in general. 7 figures and 3 references. (Author abstract modified)