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Does increased post-release supervision of criminal offenders reduce recidivism? Evidence from a statewide quasi-experiment

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  • Georgiou, Georgios

Abstract

Approximately 4.8 million offenders are subject to community supervision in the United States. This paper examines whether a program that assigned different supervision levels based on a risk assessment instrument, had any effect on offenders’ recidivism rates. Using a large statewide sample of adult offenders in Washington State and a regression discontinuity design, I compare offenders whose risk characteristics are similar but who received different levels of post-release supervision. I find that offenders who received more supervision were not less likely to reoffend. The result holds for high-risk and low-risk offenders and for various types of recidivism.

Suggested Citation

  • Georgiou, Georgios, 2014. "Does increased post-release supervision of criminal offenders reduce recidivism? Evidence from a statewide quasi-experiment," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 221-243.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:irlaec:v:37:y:2014:i:c:p:221-243
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irle.2013.12.001
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    1. Grenet, Julien & Grönqvist, Hans & Niknami, Susan, 2024. "The effects of electronic monitoring on offenders and their families," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    2. Julia Godfrey & Kegon Teng Kok Tan & Mariyana Zapryanova, 2023. "The Effect of Parole Board Racial Composition on Prisoner Outcomes," Working Papers 2023-011, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    3. Doleac, Jennifer, 2018. "Strategies to Productively Reincorporate the Formerly-Incarcerated into Communities: A Review of the Literature," IZA Discussion Papers 11646, IZA Network @ LISER.
    4. Ariel G. Stone & Caleb D. Lloyd & Benjamin L. Spivak & Nina L. Papalia & Ralph C. Serin, 2024. "Trajectories of Change in Acute Dynamic Risk Ratings and Associated Risk for Recidivism in Paroled New Zealanders: A Joint Latent Class Modelling Approach," Journal of Quantitative Criminology, Springer, vol. 40(2), pages 215-255, June.
    5. Christoph Engel & Sebastian J. Goerg & Christian Traxler, 2022. "Intensified support for juvenile offenders on probation: Evidence from Germany," Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(2), pages 447-490, June.
    6. Georgiou, Georgios, 2022. "Do correctional authorities treat all offenders equally? Evaluating the use of a risk assessment instrument," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    7. Anaïs Henneguelle & Benjamin Monnery & Annie Kensey, 2016. "Better at Home than in Prison? The Effects of Electronic Monitoring on Recidivism in France," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 59(3), pages 629-667.

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    JEL classification:

    • C26 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Instrumental Variables (IV) Estimation
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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