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Probation Trends in Illinois

NCJ Number
188111
Journal
Trends and Issues Update Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: September 1999 Pages: 1-4
Author(s)
Tracy Hahn
Date Published
September 1999
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This report provides information and data on Illinois' probation caseloads, probationers, probation outcomes, and specialized probation for 1998, with trends shown for the last decade.
Abstract
At the end of 1998, 84,213 adults were on active probation under State jurisdiction, a 15-percent increase since 1993 and almost 3 percent more than 1997. Juvenile probation caseloads statewide have also increased steadily, with 11,932 juveniles on active probation in 1998, an increase of 43 percent since 1993. The number of adult offenders on probation for a felony offense has increased, and probation continues to be the most frequently imposed sanction for convicted felons statewide. More than one-half of the felons sentenced in Illinois' circuit courts in 1998 received a probation sentence. A 1997 study provided detailed information on a sample of adult probationers in Illinois. The majority of probationers discharged during the study period were male (80 percent), white (58 percent), and averaged 31 years of age. Probationers from Cook County tended to be slightly older, and almost two-thirds were nonwhite. Data suggest a large percentage of probationers in Illinois have a history of abusing drugs or alcohol. The 1997 exit survey regarding outcome and discharge status of probationers showed that nearly three-quarters of adult probationers in the State successfully completed probation. Nearly 14 percent were negatively discharged, indicating there was a revocation of probation for either a technical violation or new offense, or a commitment to the Illinois Department of Corrections. Another 14 percent received neutral discharges, which included unsatisfactory terminations, absent or missing probationers, and other non-categorized discharges. Although most adult probationers were placed on standard supervised probation, more serious offenders were placed on intensive probation supervision, a highly structured surveillance-oriented program that renders the most restrictive supervision in the first part of a probationer's sentence. 3 figures