POSTRELEASE TRAUMA THESIS - A RECONSIDERATION OF THE RISK OF EARLY PAROLE FAILURE

• NCJ Number: 61521
• Journal: Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (JULY 1979) Pages: 273--293
• Author(s): W W MINOR; M COURLANDER
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 21 pages
• Corporate Author: National Council on Crime and Delinquency
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: AN EARLIER VERSION OF THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ACADEMY OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SCIENCES, CINCINNATI, OHIO, ON MARCH 14, 1979.

Annotation

RESEARCH AND STATISTICAL EVIDENCE SUGGEST THAT THE POSTRELEASE TRAUMA THESIS, I.E., THE TIME IMMEDIATELY AFTER PRISON RELEASE THAT CAUSES THE OFFENDER PARTICULAR STRESS, SHOULD BE EXAMINED EMPIRICALLY.

Abstract

THE THESIS IS QUESTIONED ON THREE GROUNDS: THEORETICAL, STATISTICAL, AND ORGANIZATIONAL. THEORETICALLY, THE POSTPRISON PERIOD IS MARKED BY TRAUMA INDUCED BY EXTREME DISCONTINUITY IN ROLE EXPECTATIONS, DEGREE OF INDEPENDENCE, AND RESPONSIBILITY. HOWEVER, MUCH RECENT LITERATURE HAS STRESSED THAT INMATES MAINTAIN A CONTINUED ROLE THROUGHOUT THEIR CAREERS. FURTHER, THERE IS LITTLE EVIDENCE THAT TRANSITION-EASING PROGRAMS SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTS INMATES LEAVING PRISON. IN THE STATISTICAL AREA, SOME RESEARCHERS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT THE MOST COMMON METHOD OF COMPUTING PAROLE FAILURE RATES MAY EXAGGERATE RISK OF FAILURE DURING THE FIRST FEW MONTHS. IN THE AREA OF ORGANIZATION, PAROLE STATISTICS MAY IGNORE THE FACTORS OF THE PAROLE AGENT'S DISCRETIONARY POWER, HIS CRITERIA IN DECISIONMAKING, AND HIS APPLICATION OF DIFFERENT STANDARDS TO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF OFFENDERS. FOR EXAMPLE, ONE RESEARCHER FOUND THAT VIOLENT OFFENDERS RECEIVED MORE STRINGENT TREATMENT THAN PROPERTY OFFENDERS ALTHOUGH VIOLENT OFFENDERS ARE BETTER PAROLE RISKS. FURTHER, PAROLE STATISTICS MAY REFLECT CONSCIOUS POLICY CHANGES OR DIFFERENTIAL GROUP HANDLING TO ENSURE FAVORABLE PROGRAM OUTCOMES. ORGANIZATIONAL CONSTRAINTS, THEREFORE, MAY AFFECT PAROLE AGENT'S DECISIONS, AND THESE MAY INCLUDE SUCH DIVERSE ELEMENTS AS THE POTENTIAL FOR ADVERSE PUBLICITY, ASSESSMENT OF CASE OUTCOME, AGENT'S LENGTH OF SERVICE, AND PAPERWORK DEMANDS. FINALLY, BELIEF IN EARLY PAROLE FAILURE MAY RESULT IN A SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY SINCE INCREASED SURVEILLANCE AFTER RELEASE IS THEN JUSTIFIED AND INCREASES THE CHANCES OF PAROLE REVOCATION. FOOTNOTES, TABLES, AND REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (AOP)