Recidivism among federal offenders in Southeast Texas

• Main Author: Flowers, Christopher L
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2011
• Subjects: Criminology; Recidivism; United States > US; Texas
• ISBN: 9781267442277; 1267442271

In an effort to decrease recidivism rates among those persons convicted of felony crimes, researchers have long searched for common traits among felons and then focused their efforts to mitigate the person's shortcomings. Through years of experience and implementation of multiple risk assessments, criminal justice professionals continue their efforts to assist the offender to be successful while under community supervision. Various instruments have been created and used across the United States, some with more successful results than others. A universal instrument does not exist, as differing offender populations across the United States have different needs. Success, however, is not merely identifying a high risk offender, but rather implementing a plan of action to assist that offender to better reintegrate into society. This study looks at 96 offenders who had their federal supervision revoked and 111 offenders who successfully completed their terms of supervision. The following variables were compared: age, race, gender, employment status, Risk Predictor Index (RPI) Score (as scored by the supervising officer at the beginning of supervision), Criminal History Points (as compiled by the probation officer prior to sentencing and adopted by the Court at sentencing), success or failure while under federal supervision, education level, marital status, and type of offense. By comparing these variables, the researcher was able to determine that federal offenders in Southeast Texas have a higher chance of recidivating if they are younger, have higher RPI scores, and have education levels below the GED level.