NCJ Number
146261
Date Published
1993
Length
32 pages
Annotation
New York's Division of Parole emphasized the provision of community services for parolees during the 1990-1992 period to reintegrate offenders as productive citizens and help them avoid returning to prison.
Abstract
The Division of Parole significantly expanded parolee access to substance abuse, employment, housing, and health- related services and attempted to give parole officers the tools they needed for effective supervision. Most services were provided by private, nonprofit community agencies with specialized experience. Sheer growth in the parolee population escalated the demand for services. Total caseloads grew by 41 percent, from 32,665 as of March 31, 1989, to 46,221 by March 31, 1992. In addition, the crack epidemic and the national recession altered the environment in which the Division of Parole operated. Incarcerations for drug crimes rose so rapidly that, by the end of 1991, 80 percent of all parolees had a history of drug abuse. Even with the expansion of New York's prison system during the 1980's, cell availability barely kept pace with new convictions. The national recession made it more difficult for parolees to find decent housing, adequate health care, and jobs paying a living wage. At the same time, the recession depressed government revenues, thus limiting the State's ability to expand its prison system. A detailed description of parolee services is provided, along with a discussion of the parole revocation process, crime victims, and community supervision. Parole board functions are examined, and statistical highlights of parolee movement and parole outcomes are included. A followup study of parolees released from New York State prisons between April 1, 1985, and March 31, 1988, is reported. 14 tables