Evaluation of Shock Incarceration in Louisiana, Executive Summary

• NCJ Number: 127702
• Author(s): D L MacKenzie; J W Shaw; V B Gowdy
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 16 pages
• Grant Number(s): 87-IJ-CX-0020
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: Louisiana Dept of Public Safety; Louisiana State University
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The shock incarceration program operated by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections was evaluated in terms of the program's development, costs and benefits, and inmate changes.

Abstract

The program is designed to reduce prison crowding and reduce recidivism. It serves young, nonviolent offenders serving time on their first felony conviction. The offenders spend 90 to 180 days in a medium-security program similar to boot camp followed by intensive supervision in the community. Findings indicated that the program may directly reduce prison crowding. Inmates who complete the program also experience benefits. However, recidivism was similar for participants, dropouts, and regular probationers and parolees. Results also indicated the importance of specifying the program's goals, developing a program that matches the goals, and selecting and training staff carefully to prevent either abuse or accidents. Further data from a multi-site evaluation that is using this study as a model should give policymakers information regarding the impact of these programs and the components important to particular goals.