Intensive Supervision Probation (ISP) of Adult Males (Philadelphia, PA)
Problems addressed
Recidivism
Violent crimes
Sexual violence
Crime and delinquency (multiple types)
Effectiveness

No Effect

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No Effect

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

This is a probation program that applies intensive and restrictive supervision to offenders at high risk of committing serious crimes. The goal is to reduce crime and recidivism rates.
The program requires more frequent meetings (once a week) between probation officers and offenders, random home visits, monthly drug testing, and the application of harsher punishments (zero tolerance). Participants are selected on the basis of an instrument that assesses the risk of recidivism into violent crime.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation indicated no statistical difference, when comparing the offenders who participated in the program to those who did not receive the intervention, in crime rates (violent crime, drug trafficking, property crime, and sex offenses), whether that is a first new offense or a new type of offense. However, there was a statistically significant probability that the treatment group had escaped the prison system, been arrested, or attended hearings for technical offenses compared to the control group [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Hyatt, J. M. & Barnes, G. C. (2017). An Experimental Evaluation of the Impact of Intensive Supervision on the Recidivism of High-Risk Probationers. Crime & Delinquency, 63(1), 3–38. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128714555757

Information source