NCJ Number
90648
Date Published
Unknown
Length
10 pages
Annotation
A Texas survey of criminal justice professionals and probationers regarding 'shock' probation -- where offenders are first incarcerated and then later given probation for the remainder of their sentence -- indicates that the practice is considered generally effective and a cost-effective alternative to incarceration.
Abstract
In the 1981 survey, completed questionnaires were received from 121 judges, 99 prosecuting attorneys, 87 defense attorneys, 83 chief probation officers, 318 probation officers, and 555 'shock' probationers. Additionally, probation officers completed 1,492 questionnaires about individual 'shock' probationers whom they had supervised between August 1977, when the program started, and April 1981, when the survey was completed. Judges, attorneys, and probation officers agree that the intent of 'shock' probation is to provide an alternative to lengthy incarceration and the shock value of a brief incarceration. Probationers, on the other hand, tended to view 'shock' probation as a method of rehabilitation. Most respondents considered 'shock' probation effective for 'some offenders,' but there was no agreement on the type of offender for whom it is best suited. The typical 'shock' probationer is white, male, single, 17-25 years-old, with a 10th or 11th grade education. Over 98 percent had committed felonies, with burglary the most frequent offense. Defense attorneys appear to prefer 'shock' probation more often than judges or prosecuting attorneys, as it is frequently introduced by defense attorneys in plea bargaining. A cost comparison of incarceration versus 'shock' probation showed it to be cost-effective, costing about one-fourth the amount of incarceration. The results of the 1981 survey are compared with a less extensive survey conducted in 1980. Tabular data are provided, and the appendixes contain the survey questionnaires. For the full report, see NCJ 90649.