Program Profile: Discretionary Parole in New Jersey

This allows individuals to be released early from a prison in New Jersey and complete the remainder of their sentences under supervision, with the goal of reducing recidivism. The program is rated Promising. The treatment group released early from prison had statistically significantly lower rates of reconviction, number of days until reconviction, re-arrests, and days to re-arrest, compared with those who had completed their entire sentences and were unconditionally released to the community.

A Promising rating implies that implementing the program may result in the intended outcome(s).

Program Goals/Components

Discretionary Parole in New Jersey was designed to reduce recidivism by providing an option for individuals to be released prior to serving their maximum sentences, allowing them to serve the remainder of their sentences under supervision in the community. Discretionary parole provides support and supervision for community reentry for individuals who request and are granted early release, compared with those who voluntarily complete their full sentences and are granted unconditional release, without any services or supervision in the community.

To be considered for discretionary parole, incarcerated individuals must attend a release hearing prior to their parole eligibility date, where their bid for release is discussed. If they meet the criteria, they are released to parole services as usual.

Target Population

In New Jersey, if incarcerated individuals demonstrate that they are not likely to fail while on parole and have demonstrated their investment in their own rehabilitation (for example, they have not had serious institutional disciplinary infractions, they have participated in institutional programs, and they have a viable parole plan), they are likely to be granted parole on their eligibility date if they request it (Osterman 2012).

Program Theory

Formerly incarcerated persons face a variety of challenges as they reintegrate back into their communities, including their own limited education and employment experience, potential substance use, and physical health issues. In addition, they face challenges such as securing and maintaining stable housing and navigating family roles (Osterman, 2012). Discretionary parole is based on the idea that the services provided by parole officers will aid the transition back into the community and reduce recidivism more effectively than simply releasing incarcerated persons back into the community after serving a longer sentence.

Study 1

Ostermann (2012) conducted a quasi-experimental study, which compared recidivism between incarcerated persons who had completed their maximum prison sentences with those released early on discretionary parole. The full study sample consisted of all individuals who were released from prison in New Jersey in 2006. Of those for whom criminal history was known, a total of 6,464 were released on discretionary parole, and 1,372 voluntarily completed their full sentences, referred to in the study as “max outs.”  

To control for prerelease differences, propensity scores were used to match voluntary max outs to those on discretionary parole; this resulted in a final sample of 991 individuals per group. Scores were constructed through predictive modeling (using binary logistic regression) with the following covariates: 1) age, 2) ethnicity, 3) type of instant offense, 4) number of instant offenses, 5) actuarial risk score, and 6) criminal history. 

The discretionary parole group had an average age of 35.8 years and was 91.4 percent male. The racial/ethnic breakdown was 21.3 percent white and 78.7 percent minority. The voluntary max out group had an average age of 35.7 years and was 89.9 percent male. The racial/ethnic breakdown was 22.9 percent white and 77.6 percent minority. 

To measure recidivism (re-arrest and reconviction), t-tests (two-tailed) and chi-square analyses were conducted. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were conducted to examine group differences over time while accounting for time at risk experienced by the group members. No subgroup analysis was conducted.

These sources were used in the development of the program profile:

Following are CrimeSolutions-rated programs that are related to this practice:

Adult Reentry Programs

This practice involves correctional programs that focus on the transition of individuals from prison into the community. Reentry programs involve treatment or services that have been initiated while the individual is in custody and a follow-up component after the individual is released. The practice is rated Promising for reducing recidivism.

Evidence Ratings for Outcomes

Crime & Delinquency - Multiple crime/offense types

Rehabilitation Programs for Adults Convicted of a Crime

This practice includes programs that are designed to reduce recidivism among adults by improving their behaviors, skills, mental health, social functioning, and access to education and employment. They may become participants in rehabilitation programs during multiple points in their involvement with the criminal justice system. This practice is rated Promising for reducing recidivism among adults who have been convicted of an offense.

Evidence Ratings for Outcomes

Crime & Delinquency - Multiple crime/offense types

Why might a practice's outcome ratings differ from the ratings of specific programs encompassed by that practice?