Preliminary Findings from a Study Examining the Role of Incentives in Improving Probation Outcomes

• In Event: Improving Client Outcomes in Community Corrections

Abstract

In June of 2022, a four-year study funded by Arnold Ventures was initiated in partnership with the Denver Adult Probation Department to explore the effects of incentive use with a two-year cohort of individuals sentenced to probation. This paper presents preliminary findings from the year one cohort of probation clients (July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023). Descriptive findings related to incentive use, such as incentive frequency, timing of incentives, incentive types, and underlying behaviors prompting officer use of incentives are presented. In addition, predictive analyses estimating the influence of incentives on a myriad of supervision outcomes, including violations, absconding, arrest, and revocation are presented. Policy implications, study challenges, and future directions are discussed.

Authors

• Eric Wodahl, University of Wyoming

• Kimberly Schweitzer, University of North Dakota

• Jae Spain

• Channing Bullock