Does Parole Work?—Revisited

Abstract

Recent research evaluating differences in the method of release and outcome suggests that offenders who leave prison at the expiration of sentence reoffend at rates similar to offenders who are released from prison via discretionary or mandatory release. This research assesses offenders released from prison at the completion of sentence compared with those released from prison to discretionary parole in New Jersey. In addition, this study evaluates whether demographic differences exist between parolees and max outs as well as time to event. Findings suggest that discretionary parole releases in New Jersey are rearrested, reconvicted, and reincarcerated less often than offenders who max out.