NCJ Number
203293
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: May 2003 Pages: 16-18
Date Published
May 2003
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This study examined Federal offender participation in community-based programs following conditional release.
Abstract
Conditional release and its related programs are designed to help offenders successfully reintegrate into society. This study first engaged in a profile analysis of offenders who participated in programs while on conditional release. Trends in program participation were analyzed over an 8-year period and the relationship between program participation and release outcome for Federal offenders was examined. Data were drawn from the Correctional Service of Canada’s (CSC’s) automated Offender Management System (OMS). The sample included 31,995 Federal offenders who comprised 33,164 releases between April 1, 1995, and March 31, 2002. Of the releases, 48 percent were day paroles, 15 percent were full paroles, and 36 percent were statutory releases. Forty-three percent of the sampled offenders participated in at least one program following their release. Non-Aboriginal males, Aboriginal males, and women were equally likely to participate in post-release programs. The trend analysis indicated that since 1995, participation rates in post-release correctional programs has been steadily increasing. Finally, the study compared post-release outcomes for offenders who participated in programs versus those who did not. Outcomes were examined for those offenders who were available for the 3-year follow-up period. Results suggested that offenders who participated in at least one program were less likely to be arrested for a new offense during the follow-up period compared to offenders who did not participate in post-release programs. Future research should focus on identifying key program specifics that assist in the reintegration process. Endnotes