NCJ Number
187093
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2001 Pages: 4-18
Date Published
February 2001
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study compares rural and urban probationers, probation sentences, and probation outcomes.
Abstract
The study used data about every adult probationer discharged during a 4-week period (N = 2,468) in Illinois. All probation officers supervising adults were asked to complete a form for each of their cases discharged during the period under review. Rural probationers tended to have more prior convictions, but their current offense was much more likely to be a misdemeanor than was true for urban probationers. Rural probationers were more likely to have a history of alcohol abuse, and were most likely to have been sentenced to probation for driving under the influence, whereas urban probationers were most likely to have been sentenced for a drug offense. Rural probationers were more likely to be ordered to pay court costs and probation fees, but were less likely to be ordered to community service. Rural probationers were less likely to have their probation revoked, and were less likely to have either technical violations or additional arrests during their supervision. The study concludes that understanding rural-urban differences in probation will require a study of differences in the process by which individuals move through the justice system and a better understanding of differences in resources available within probation agencies and the communities in which they operate. Tables, references