Split Supervision as an Alternative to Incarceration: Examining Sentence Length Variability among Florida Inmates

• In Event: Predictors of Sentencing Decisions and the Effects of In-Prison Experiences

Abstract

Split supervision is a form of post-prison community supervision that is distinct from parole, which is more commonly used in the United States. Split supervision differs from parole in that the length of supervision, conditions of release, and type of supervision are all determined by the sentencing judge prior to admission to prison. Much is still unknown about this type of post-prison community supervision, including whether it is used as an alternative to lengthy prison sentences. This paper bridges the gap in the literature by examining variations in sentence lengths between those with split supervision and those with sentences of prison only for a cohort of 250,000 inmates released from Florida prisons between 2004 and 2011. Cohorts of offenders with split supervision and with prison only will be matched on a variety of relevant factors to determine if there is significant variability between the groups in terms of prison sentence length.

Author

• Catie Clark, Arizona Criminal Justice Commission