NCJ Number
87089
Journal
Criminal Justice Review Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1982) Pages: 34-45
Date Published
1982
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study uses survival analysis to examine the comparative performance of three groups of offenders released from a State prison and followed for 5 years after release.
Abstract
Survival analysis is one method of assessing the timing of recidivism among offenders released from correctional programs. The comparison of survival distributions shows that parolees failed at a slower pace than inmates released by conditional release or by the maximum expiration of the term. These findings were maintained when the a priori risk of recidivism was controlled, suggesting that selection effects were not wholly responsible for the parole group's more favorable performance. In addition, the survival distributions for the parole group were compared across risk levels. Findings suggest that if a critical period of probability of failure exists, the timing of this period varies with offender characteristics. Implications of the findings for resource allocation, correctional population and program plannings, parole policy, and program evaluation methods are discussed. Study data, footnotes, a graph, and 24 references are supplied. (Author abstract modified)