An Evaluation of California's Experiment With HOPE

Phase 1 Study of California's HOPE Experiment

The phase I evaluation is intended to assess whether or not frequent drug testing and immediate short-term incarceration for drug use and/or other violations and mandated drug treatment for multiple violations, reduces the recurrence of drug use and/or other violation behaviors by California parolees assigned to the study group.

The California HOPE pilot program is being implemented under the authority granted in Penal Code 5058.1. The phase I evaluation is intended to assess whether or not frequent drug testing and immediate short-term incarceration for drug use and/or other violations and mandated drug treatment for multiple violations, reduces the recurrence of drug use and/or other violation behaviors by California parolees assigned to the study group compared with parole-as-usual.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Assigned to the Sacramento Metro IV Parole Unit.
• Released from a term of return-to-custody for a violation for, or involving, the use of drugs.
• Have a maximum controlling discharge date at least one year from the date of release from the return-to-custody term.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of convictions for crimes that require registration under Penal Code Section 290.