Reentry After Revocation: Release Conditions, Community Programming, and Recidivism Outcomes After Failing Parole Supervision

• In Event: Reintegration Gatekeepers in Parole and Probation Systems

Abstract

Parole supervision failures constitute significant proportions of many state prison populations, and criminologists often consider revocations as a measure of recidivism when evaluating programs. Scholars have attempted to disentangle the process of “back-end sentencing” through analyses of parole officer and board member decision making, but little empirical attention has been paid to the reentry experiences of people after failing parole. This study leverages data from multi-year prison release cohorts (n=44,760) that includes a subgroup of people that are released after failing parole (n=8,791). Regression modeling is used to ascertain predictors of release conditions (re-parole vs. unconditional release), post-release resource allocations, and recidivism outcomes for those attempting to reintegrate back into their communities after previously failing parole. Key predictors from the previous parole term that are unique to this study include revocation timing, the proportion of the supervision term that was successful prior to failure, and previous resource allocations. Future research directions and parole policies are considered.

Author

• Michael Ostermann, Rutgers University