NCJ Number
174908
Journal
American Jails Volume: 11 Issue: 5 Dated: November/December 1997 Pages: 63-65
Date Published
1997
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article examines the development and effectiveness of the design and programs of Orange County's (Florida) direct- supervision jail.
Abstract
Since 1987 Orange County has constructed 1,500 new jail beds, using a direct-supervision strategy, both podular and dormitory. Millions of dollars have been saved in construction costs and staffing costs through the use of direct supervision. Through an extensive partnership with the Orange County School Board, the county has deployed 80 school teachers to provide educational and vocational training to hundreds of inmates. Contract providers funded through the Inmate Welfare Fund have treated and counseled scores of inmates with substance abuse problems. In an independent evaluation of the jail program's effectiveness, the recidivism records (18 months) of 600 inmates were selected for review and analysis. The sample was divided into three groups of equal size; group 1 received minimal or no programming; group 2 received a moderate amount of programming (6-45 days); and group 3 received intensive programming (46 days or more). The three sample groups did not differ substantially in terms of race, classification level, age, or education. There were some differences between the sample groups in gender, legal status, and days in custody. The study, which was completed in April 1997, found that correctional programming under direct supervision resulted in a reduction of postrelease arrests among the sample. Group 2 inmates, who received moderate amounts of programming, had the lowest rearrest rates. Group 3, which received intensive programming, did not differ significantly in rearrest rates from group 1, which received minimal or no programming. A separate business analysis of the direct- supervision program compared it with indirect-supervision housing costs. Both the recidivism study and the business analysis provide independent validation of the successful implementation of the direct-supervision jail programming. 2 references