James Olsen
Associate Professor of Criminology, The University of Auckland
Key Findings
- Probationers in the HOPE program had significantly better outcomes than probationers that were not part of the program.
- HOPE was attributed to 48% fewer days of inmate incarceration, 53% fewer revocations, 55% fewer new arrests, 61% fewer missed supervision appointments, and 72% fewer positive drug tests.
- Results of the replication studies were mixed, with some sites reporting significantly positive results and others reporting no significant changes.
Description
In the article, “HOPE Springs Eternal: New Evaluations of Correctional Deterrence,” Oleson examines swift, certain, and fair (SCF) correctional deterrence programs that improve public safety with few resources. Oleson uses Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) program as a successful template of a SCF program and examines three attempts at replicating the program. Under the HOPE program, probationers had significantly better outcomes than probationers that were not part of the program. HOPE was attributed to 48% fewer days of inmate incarceration, 53% fewer revocations, 55% fewer new arrests, 61% fewer missed supervision appointments, and 72% fewer positive drug tests. The results of the replication studies were mixed, with some sites reporting significantly positive results and others reporting no significant changes. Oleson notes that in order to more effectively combat drug arrests, the war on drugs should take a public health approach instead of a criminal justice approach.