Evaluation of the Washington Intensive Supervision Program

Evaluation of the Washington Intensive Supervision Program

This study entails an evaluation of the Washington Intensive Supervision Program (WISP). The purpose of the evaluation is to test whether subjects assigned to WISP perform better than those assigned to parole-as-usual (PAU).

This study entails an evaluation of the Washington Intensive Supervision Program (WISP). WISP is a program targeting high-risk parolees in Seattle, and is modeled after the HOPE program in Hawaii. The purpose of the evaluation is to test whether subjects assigned to WISP perform better than those assigned to parole-as-usual (PAU) on a number of outcomes, including drug use, missed appointments, recidivism, prison and jail stays, and parole revocations. WISP uses regular random drug testing and close community supervision, paired with swift and certain, but modest sanctions for every detected violation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Inmates released by DOC to community corrections supervision
• Supervised out of the Seattle CJC (Community Justice Center) to include field offices and offenders from the downtown "Metro" unit, Southeast Seattle unit, Northgate (north Seattle) and West Seattle.
• Have a parole supervision discharge date at least one year from the date of release from entry into WISP

Exclusion Criteria:

• Level III Sex Offenders
• Existing assignment to supervision that precludes WISP. These include: Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative (DOSA)and Special Sex Offender Sentencing Alternative (SSOSA).
• Dangerously Mentally Ill (DMIO)