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Intermediate Sanctions: Their Impacts on Prison Crowding, Costs, and Recidivism Are Still Unclear

NCJ Number
127383
Date Published
1990
Length
55 pages
Annotation
The U.S. General Accounting Office undertook a study to determine if intermediate sanction programs affect prison crowding, represent a cost-saving alternative to incarceration, and effectively control crime.
Abstract
Evaluations of 28 intermediate sanction programs formed the basis of analysis. It was determined that existing programs have had little effect and are unlikely to have a substantial effect on prison populations. This is because most programs serve a relatively small population of offenders. The per capita cost of operating an intermediate sanction program is less than that for operating a prison, but it is not clear from the evaluations that the lower per capita cost of intermediate sanctions translates into an overall cost savings for the State or jurisdiction mounting the program. The effectiveness of intermediate sanctions in controlling crime was analyzed in terms of intensive supervision probation (ISP) programs. It is clear that some participants in ISP programs continue to engage in criminal activity. Estimates of the commission of crime for ISP offenders generally fall between those of regular probationers and parolees, and non-ISP parolees commit new offenses at an extremely high rate subsequent to their release. Appendixes provide supplemental information on the study methodology and findings. 28 references and 5 tables