NCJ Number
61301
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1978) Pages: 1-4
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
SINCE 1973 JUDGES IN OREGON HAVE USED THE POLYGRAPH TO MONITOR FELONS PLACED ON SPECIAL PROBATIONARY PROGRAMS.
Abstract
FELONS SELECTED FOR THE SPECIAL PROGRAM ARE OTHERWISE CONSIDERED INELIGIBLE FOR PROBATION AND WOULD NORMALLY BE SENTENCED TO PRISON. THEY ARE PLACED ON PROBATION WITH THE SPECIFIC CONDITION THAT THEY PARTICIPATE IN A PROGRAM INVOLVING PERIODIC POLYGRAPH EXAMINATIONS BY THE STATE POLICE COVERING THE CONDITIONS OF THEIR PAROLES. FROM 1973 TO 1977, 107 PERSONS IN PORTLAND HAVE BEEN PLACED IN THE POLYGRAPH PROBATION SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM AS A CONDITION OF PROBATION. TWO OTHER POLYGRAPH SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMS ALSO HAVE BEEN SET UP IN THE STATE. THE PROGRAM HAS A SUCCESS RATE OF 52.6 PERCENT. EXAMINATION DATA SHOW THAT THE LARGEST NUMBER OF PAROLE VIOLATION ADMISSIONS INVOLVED THE USE OF MARIJUANA. THERE WERE ALSO SIGNIFICANT ADMISSIONS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY WHILE ON PROBATION, INCLUDING THEFT, BURGLARY, AUTO THEFT, AND OTHER CRIMES. MANY CRIMES HAVE THEREFORE BEEN DETECTED THROUGH THE POLYGRAPH EXAMS THAT WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE GONE UNDETECTED. INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THOSE CRIMES HAVE EITHER BEEN REVOKED OR SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED. DUE TO THE PROGRAM, STOLEN GOODS AND DRUGS HAVE ALSO BEEN RECOVERED. TWO NEW PROGRAMS FOR NARCOTICS OFFENDERS AND SHOPLIFTERS HAVE BEEN INITIATED AND ARE BEING MONITORED TO DETERMINE THEIR FEASIBILITY. TABULAR DATA ARE INCLUDED. (MJW)