NCJ Number
91694
Date Published
1983
Length
32 pages
Annotation
The Special Action Release (SAR) program was implemented as an emergency measure to reduce overcrowding in Wisconsin correctional institutions. This evaluation examined whether the program increased public exposure to criminal activity and to what extent it reduced prison overcrowding.
Abstract
The program released carefully selected, nonviolent offenders from prison 90 days prior to their mandatory release date. SAR participants received intensive supervision from parole agents after release. The evaluation compared the postrelease behavior of SAR participants to a similar group of inmates who received an ordinary release. Followup was done 90 and 180 days after release. The evaluation concludes that careful selection of SAR participants and intensive postrelease supervision have provided the public adequate protection from criminal activity. Furthermore, the prison space savings attributable to SAR may be greater than originally estimated because program participants engaged in less serious criminal activity after release. Graphs and tabular data are given. A list of violent offenses is appended.