NCJ Number
175232
Editor(s)
K S Armfield
Date Published
1997
Length
56 pages
Annotation
The Metropolitan Day Reporting Center (MDRC) in Boston was evaluated to assess characteristics of clients participating in the program and to identify clients most likely to successfully complete the program.
Abstract
The sample included all MDRC clients between April 1992 and December 1994. Data indicated clients who participated in the MDRC were twice as likely to remain crime free after their release from the program, compared to clients released directly without participation in the program. Only 1.3 percent of 466 clients for whom records were available committed a new crime while in the program. Clients who successfully completed the program were the least likely to recidivate of all groups reviewed. Notably, 8 of 10 clients were working or were involved in a job search as part of their program participation. In terms of demographics, 80 percent of clients were 25 years of age or older. Most clients self-reported having a serious drug or alcohol abuse problem, and the most common drug of choice appeared to be cocaine. About 12 percent of clients had 3 or more previous incarcerations, while 54.8 percent had no prior offense records. Prior criminal records primarily involved property crimes and drug-related offenses. As clients aged, the likelihood of recidivism decreased. In addition, clients living with a spouse or children had very low recidivism rates, while clients living with parents and siblings had significantly higher rates. About 60 percent of clients with 3 or more prior incarcerations did not recidivate. 40 tables