The Effects of Sanction Intensity on Criminal Conduct - JDAI Helpdesk

Conclusion
<strong>The</strong> aim <strong>of</strong> this paper was to examine the viability <strong>of</strong> giving low-risk probationers
less supervision compared to usual probation standards, in order to reallocate resources
toward the highest risk <strong>of</strong>fenders. We explored whether the characteristics <strong>of</strong> low-level
<strong>of</strong>fenders and the types <strong>of</strong> outcome measures selected in the analysis <strong>of</strong> the first
randomized controlled trial <strong>of</strong> low-intensity supervision (LIS) affected the impact <strong>of</strong> LIS
on recidivism. Overall, we found no evidence against the hypothesis that reducing
supervision for the lowest-risk <strong>of</strong>fenders is an efficient strategy.
<strong>The</strong> credibility <strong>of</strong> probation and parole supervision as a safe and effective strategy
for dealing with <strong>of</strong>fenders in the community is under threat from a poor image driven by
a severe lack <strong>of</strong> resources and some high-pr<strong>of</strong>ile failures. Although most probation
agencies do use some form <strong>of</strong> risk assessment or triage process to steer higher-risk
<strong>of</strong>fenders into smaller, more intensive caseloads, real-world constraints may mean that
even these caseloads operate at full capacity. This leaves probation <strong>of</strong>ficers with little
time or ability to provide appropriate services. <strong>The</strong> Philadelphia Adult Probation and
Parole Department (APPD) was one agency that experienced these difficulties first-hand,
and worked with the University <strong>of</strong> Pennsylvania to conduct an experimental analysis <strong>of</strong> a
new strategy for assessing risk as the basis for channeling <strong>of</strong>fenders into appropriate
supervision. <strong>The</strong> first stage <strong>of</strong> the restructuring <strong>of</strong> supervision, on which the present
study is focused, involved directing <strong>of</strong>fenders at the lowest risk <strong>of</strong> serious re<strong>of</strong>fending
into large caseloads, in which they received few probation contacts. This strategy was
intended to free scarce staffing resources to be used for reducing caseloads and increasing
APPD’s ability to provide suitable surveillance and services at the highest end <strong>of</strong> the risk
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