NCJ Number
55665
Date Published
1977
Length
40 pages
Annotation
STATISTICS DOCUMENTING CLIENT CHARACTERISTIC AND PROGRAM OPERATIONS FOR THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS' WORK-RELEASE PROGRAM ARE PRESENTED, AND THE PROGRAM IS DESCRIBED BRIEFLY.
Abstract
ADULT AND YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS IN THE WORK-RELEASE PROGRAM ATTEND SCHOOL OR WORK IN THE FREE COMMUNITY WHILE LIVING IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS OR COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS FACILITIES. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO EASE THE TRANSITION FROM THE DEPENDENCY OF INSTITUTIONAL LIFE TO THE INDEPENDENCE REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS OUTSIDE THE INSTITUTION. WORK-RELEASE CLIENTS SIGN TREATMENT CONTRACTS, MEET DAILY WITH WORK-RELEASE CENTER COUNSELORS, RECEIVE HELP IN SECURING EMPLOYMENT OR TRAINING AND IN FINDING ANY SPECIAL ASSISTANCE THEY REQUIRE, AND ARE EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR OWN SUPPORT AND TO THAT OF THEIR DEPENDENTS. THE PROGRAM, WHICH OPERATES PRIMARILY IN THE MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL AREA, HAS REDUCED THE COSTS OF INCARCERATION IN MINNESOTA AND HAS PROVED A VALUABLE ALTERNATIVE TO RELEASE ON PAROLE WHEN INTENSIVE SURVEILLANCE AND SUPERVISION IS NEEDED. THE STATISTICAL REPORT PRESENTS DATA FOR 1968 THROUGH 1975 ON THE FOLLOWING PARTICIPANT CHARACTERISTICS: SEX, RACE, AGE, MARITAL STATUS, OFFENSE, SENTENCE, PRIOR CONVICTIONS, TIME SERVED, SOURCE OF FIRST JOB AFTER RELEASE, HOUSING DURING WORK-RELEASE PARTICIPATION, SKILL LEVEL, NUMBER OF JOBS HELD, INCOME, TERMINATION STATUS, AND EARNINGS AND EXPENSES. DATA ARE ALSO PRESENTED ON SUCCESS/FAILURE RATES AND ON PROGRAM COSTS. SUCCESS RATES FOR YOUTHS AND ADULTS COMBINED WERE 62.5 PERCENT IN 1968-72 (63.6 PERCENT FOR ADULTS, 57 PERCENT FOR YOUTHS), 73 PERCENT IN 1973 (77 PERCENT FOR ADULTS, 57 PERCENT FOR YOUTHS), 75 PERCENT IN 1975 (80 PERCENT FOR ADULTS, 36 PERCENT FOR YOUTHS), AND 63 PERCENT IN 1975 (63 PERCENT FOR ADULTS, 60 PERCENT FOR YOUTHS). NO NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE DATA IS INCLUDED. FOR SIMILAR REPORTS FOR 1976 AND 1977, SEE NCJ-55666 AND 55667.