NCJ Number
81219
Date Published
1981
Length
146 pages
Annotation
This report from the Improved Correctional Field Services Project (ICFS) -- a project developed to test the effectiveness of using risk-screening procedures to assign probationers to different levels of supervision -- examines whether the different supervision levels have any effect on a combined recidivism measure.
Abstract
Three correctional field service (probation) projects -- in Suffolk County, N.Y.; Kane County, Ill.; and Florida -- were developed and funded by LEAA in 1978. An aggregate first cohort sample of 507 cases was followed for 6 months of probation supervision. There were 102 cases from Kane County, Ill.; 127 from Suffolk County, N.Y.; and 278 cases from Florida. Data were collected from probationer case files. Separate analyses are reported for the aggregate data and for each site. A number of analytical methods were used, e.g., contingency tables, correlational analyses, and analyses of variance and covariance. The general conclusion, limited by the nature of the samples and the length of followup and outcome variance, is that the major hypotheses providing the rationale for the project are not supported. Neither risk classification, supervision level, nor the interaction of risk and supervision has much effect on 6-month probation global recidivism. There were problems in the strength and integrity of the ICFS treatment which undermine the validity of the experiment. There are, however, certain trends in the data that suggest some elements in the project may be worth pursuing further. Coding used in the study and some characteristics of the sample are appended. Tabular data and 13 notes are provided. For other reports in the series, see NCJ 81216-18 and NCJ 81220-24. (Author abstract modified)