Research on Alternative Probation Strategies in Maryland: Final Report

Individuals in Maryland with probation sentences of 12 months or less without special conditions were randomly assigned to regular supervised probation, unsupervised probation, or a community service program. Assessment of social adjustment and recidivism during and after probation indicated that the level of supervision did not have a significant effect on outcomes except in the case of probationers who had had more than five previous arrests. Such probationers who were not supervised had comparatively high rearrest rates. The cost of supervision for those in the supervised probation group was 3.5 times higher than for the unsupervised group. When previous arrest history was controlled, these higher costs were not related to more favorable recidivism outcomes. It was concluded that the risk to the community would not be increased by shifting supervision resources away from some probationer types. Tables, exhibits, over 60 references. (Author abstract modified)