Hawaii Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE)
Problems addressed
Recidivism
Drug abuse
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Adults (18 to 59 years)
Where the program was applied
Courts of justice
Community (streets or community centers)
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a community supervision program for parolees with substance use problems and recidivism tendencies.
Participants are assigned a color ID and must call an automated phone line each morning. If their color is selected for the day, they must report to court for drug testing at the appointed time. Initially, participants are tested at least six times a month, approximately once a week.
Over time, the frequency of drug testing may decrease, and participants are rewarded for complying with the rules and testing negative. If the test is positive, the participant will be arrested on the spot. A warrant for arrest is issued immediately if a mandatory drug test is missed.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed that program participants were less likely to lose commitments to probation officers, to use drugs, and to be rearrested. The study used a randomized trial with a sample of 330 adults on probation and 163 in the control group condition. The average age was 36.1 years and 75% were male [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Hawken, A. & Kleiman, M. (2009). Managing Drug Involved Probationers with Swift and Certain Sanctions: Evaluating Hawaii’s HOPE. National Institute of Justice (NIJ). https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/229023.pdf

Information source