Logo image
Is Something Better Than Nothing? The Effect of Short Terms of Mandatory Parole Supervision
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Is Something Better Than Nothing? The Effect of Short Terms of Mandatory Parole Supervision

Michael Ostermann and Jordan M. Hyatt
Justice quarterly, v 33(5), pp 785-810
28 Jul 2016

Abstract

Criminology & Penology Social Sciences
This article reports the findings of a quasi-experimental evaluation of a mandatory early parole program. New Jersey's Statutory Early Release (SER) law required that all inmates, with few exceptions, be released onto parole sixmonths before the expiration of their sentence. SER participants (n=405) were matched using propensity scores to two groups of similar offenders who left prison in the year prior to the implementation of the SER statute. Comparison groups include former inmates that were released either unconditionally (n=4,507) or onto standard parole (n=5,657). At the conclusion of the matching routines, 395 SER-parolee pairs and 394 SER-unconditional release pairs were identified. Outcomes measures, including comparisons of rearrest and reconviction rates, are reported pre and post matching, and at 6-, 12-, and 18-month intervals. Individuals enrolled in the SER program demonstrated significantly reduced arrest rates during the SER supervision period when compared to unconditionally released offenders, though differences do not persist past sixmonths. Offending rates for both SER participants and matched parolees were generally similar, with some significant variation in arrest rates emerging after 12months.

Metrics

3 Record Views
12 citations in Scopus

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being
#16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

InCites Highlights

Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Criminology & Penology
Logo image