NCJ Number
91104
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (July 1983) Pages: 106-118
Date Published
1983
Length
13 pages
Annotation
A 5-year followup study of 250 parolees released from New South Wales, Australia, prisons in 1974 found demographic factors were not related to parole outcome, but both previous criminal history and experiences durig the parole period affected parole success.
Abstract
Of the sample, 55 percent completed parole successfully, 18 percent were breached technically but not revoked, and 26 percent had their paroles revoked. Aproximately half of the last group were revoked within 3 months and almost all within 12 months. Age, country of birth, type of employment, education, living arrangements, separation or death of parents, emotional problems, or group affiliations were not related to parole outcome. Eight variables differentiated among the three parole outcomes: number of times in juvenile institution, number of times in prison, stability of employment history, marital status, alcohol problems during parole, drug problems during parole employment changes during parole, and address changes during parole. Parolees who completed their parole period differed from those breached or revoked in having fewer alcohol or drug problems during parole and a more stable employment history. Persons who were revoked had more job and address changes while on parole, were more likely never to have married, and had a more extensive criminal history than those breached. Thus, it would appear that the success rate of those on parole could be increased by prison job training and education programs, efforts to strengthen marital ties of inmates, and drug and alcohol abuse treatment programs within prisons. Tables and 10 references are provided.