NCJ Number
130481
Journal
Perspectives Dated: (Summer 1988) Pages: 44-45
Date Published
1988
Length
2 pages
Annotation
The Intensive Supervision Parole (ISP) Program in Texas was established in 1987 and is designed to reduce revocations of releases and speed the return to prison for parole violators.
Abstract
The program was established after receiving an emergency appropriation from the legislature to relieve the State's prison overcrowding problem. The program uses significantly smaller caseloads and more contacts than traditional programs. However, its critical components include expert casework, intense program, and increased client services as well as a range of intermediate sanctions that are not available to traditional caseload officers. A unique feature is the requirement that those returned to prison as ISP violators must return to and successfully complete ISP after release from prison. Like the other programs being evaluated by RAND, the Texas program randomly assigns offenders to either experimental or control groups. RAND will report outcome measures at 6, 12, and 24 months. Data gathered to date shows that the clients differ from those of most intensive supervision probation programs and that most abuse drugs. Parole officers like the reduced caseloads, flexible schedules, and quick responses from law enforcement and parole administration when they request arrests, but note the tremendous stress associated with supervision of only high-risk cases. 2 references