Earned Early Release (Washington State)
Problems addressed
Recidivism
Violent crimes
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Adults (18 to 59 years)
Where the program was applied
Prisons or socio-educational residential centers
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a merit-based release law aimed at reducing the number of incarcerated individuals in the prison system and the incarceration rates for non-violent crimes.
This normative parameter allowed individuals incarcerated for non-violent crimes who show good behavior and participate in education, work, and treatment projects in prison to be released after serving 50% of their sentence.

Impact evaluations

An impact assessment showed that inmates released from the prison system under the law had a statistically lower rate of convictions for crimes compared to those who were not released from the system. However, there was no statistically significant difference in convictions for violent crimes [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Drake, E., Barnoski, R. P. & Aos, S. (2009). Increased earned release from prison: Impacts of a 2003 law on recidivism and crime costs. Revised April 2009 (Documents núm. 09-04-1201). Olympia, WA. Washington State Institute for Public Policy. https://www.wsipp.wa.gov/ReportFile/1039/Wsipp_Increased-Earned-Release…

Information source