The Impact of Swift and Certain Sanctions: An Evaluation of Washington State’s Policy for Offenders on Community Supervision

• In Event: Does Swift, Certain, and Fair Work? Findings from Two RCTs

Abstract

In the wake of the mass incarceration movement, many states must now manage the rebound of decarceration. Encouraged by the positive findings of HOPE, several jurisdictions have taken great interest in the implementation of deterrence-based sanctioning models when dealing with supervision violations. Among the first to implement a statewide violation sanctioning model, Washington State’s Swift and Certain (SAC) policy. SAC expand the HOPE model to a wider criminal justice population, emphasizing the reduction of confinement costs. This study focused on the impact of SAC with regard to supervision outcomes for participants. Findings reveal that SAC participants were found to incur fewer sanctioned incarceration days following a violation, reduced odds of recidivism, possessed greater treatment program utilization, reduced their propensity of committing violations over time, and, as a result, imposed lower correctional and associated costs. The SAC model provides positive effects without appreciable negative impacts on public safety.

Authors

• Zachary Hamilton, Washington State University

• Christopher M. Campbell, Portland State University

• Jacqueline van Wormer, Washington State University

• Alex Kigerl, Washington State University

• Brianne Posey, Washington State University