NCJ Number
172693
Journal
Perspectives Volume: 20 Issue: 3 Dated: Summer 1997 Pages: 38-41
Date Published
1997
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Data on more than 32,000 offenders in North Carolina community-based corrections programs between July 1992 and June 1993 were used to determine the characteristics associated with recidivism, as well as the nature of the offenses for which offenders were rearrested.
Abstract
The programs included the Community Penalties Program, Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime, Community Service Work Program, regular probation, regular parole, intensive probation, intensive parole, electronic house arrest, special probation or split sentence, and the Intensive Motivational Program of Alternative Correctional Treatment (shock incarceration). Information was collected regarding the offender's demographic characteristics, the county size, current offense, prior arrests, whether the person pled guilty, prior arrests, age at first conviction, past alcohol or drug problems, attitude, employment stability, types of friends and associates, educational attainment, and other factors. Results revealed that most programs had no significant effect on being arrested or avoiding rearrest. Personal factors such as age, drug abuse history, gender, educational level, prior weapons convictions, and current offense were more important correlates of recidivism than was participation in a program. Nevertheless, correctional interventions may make a difference in some cases. Results also indicated that the problems of young, black males in densely populated areas cannot be solved simply by creating a new program or abolishing an existing one. Tables, notes, and 9 references