Swift, Certain, and Fair: Reducing Recidivism and Improving Outcomes for Alcohol and Drug Users on State Parole

Swift, Certain, and Fair: Reducing Recidivism and Improving Outcomes for Alcohol and Drug Users on State Parole

This research project will study the outcomes of medium- to high-risk parolees with a history of substance abuse in Alleghany County, Pennsylvania supervised under Swift-Certain-Fair parole.

The research goals are to:

• Determine the effectiveness of SCF parole in reducing recidivism among medium- to high-risk parolees with a history of substance abuse in Pennsylvania.
• Determine the minimum effective sanction in response to a violation that will bring parolees into compliance with the conditions of their parole.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Assigned to the Pittsburgh District
• Allegheny County resident
• Has at least 2 years left on supervision
• Had a prior drug or alcohol related sanction

Exclusion Criteria:

• Sex offender
• Reentrants assigned to the Special Needs Unit