1. Survival on Parole In Hawaii – Part 2
General Description of “Success” and “Failure” of Parolees in Hawaii
You should print out, read, and use the source for this lecture available online at
Kassebaum, Gene
1999 “Survival on Parole: A Study of Post-Prison Adjustment and the Risk of Returning to Prison in the State of Hawaii.” Department of the Attorney General State of Hawaii. Available on-line.
Michael Hallstone ©2006

2. Introduction Recall the difference between parole and probation
The goal of this lecture is to provide a general description of:
General description of “success” and failure” of parolees in Hawaii.
Source is 1999, but most up to date that are publicly available to describe Hawaii
Parts 3 and 4 of this lecture series will look at study results in greater detail
Michael Hallstone ©2006

3. Why Care about Parole? Total # of HI of Inmates 3850*
Why not just “lock em up and throw away the key?” What about “truth in sentencing?”
Incarceration is expensive to the taxpayers (below is probably an underestimate too!)
Total # of HI of Inmates
3850*
Daily Cost Per Inmate*
Per Inmate Each Year
Total Yearly Cost to HI
~Half in Hawaii (~half)
1925 $
$ 40,150
$ 77,288,750
~ Half Out of State $
$ 20,440
$ 39,347,000
total
$ 116,635,750
* In 2006 dollars -- source: Star Bulletin, Feb 20, 2006: I did the calculations
Michael Hallstone ©2006

4. General Description of Parole Survival and Failure
Parolee Status (n=599)
Percent
People
Returned to Custody—Parole Revoked
48.2
289
Not returned to custody
43.9
263
Returned to Custody—Released Shortly & Continued on Parole
5.7 34
Absconded (whereabouts unknown)—Parole Suspended
2.2 13
=336 So 336 parolees “failed” and 263 parolees “succeeded”
Michael Hallstone ©2006

5. Why Do More than Half “Fail?”
Is it that they went out and convicted a new crime? [i.e. they “took advantage of their freedom?”]
Isn’t that the “popular image?”
How many fail because they went out and committed a new crime? Stop for a second…
Whaddyah think….? Write down a number! What percentage commit a new crime?
Michael Hallstone ©2006

6. New Convictions While Out On Parole
Charges
No Misdemeanor Convictions %/#
One or More Misdemeanor Convictions %/#
No Felony Convictions
70.7% /423
17.9%/107
One or More Felony Convictions
5.7%/ 34
Would you have guessed less than 70% committed NO NEW CRIME? and only ~12% committed a new crime that would have sent them to prison (i.e. felony)???!!!
Michael Hallstone ©2006

7. If only 12% Commit New Felonies Why Do ~55% Fail?
Type of Rule Violation
% of cases*
Dirty Urine Test
38.7%
Failure to Maintain Contacts w/ PO
25.7%
Failure to report change of address
11.7%
*note that % do not add up to 100 because these are just the most common ones cited. Also data do not allow for # of people.
Michael Hallstone ©2006

8. Conclusion: Half Empty or Half Full?
There is no 100% “perfect” cure for any social problem – especially crime
Goal of public crime policy is to “improve”
About 45% succeed and about 55% fail
71% of failures NOT due to new crime but “technical violations” -- related to drugs
That 45% is saving us a ton of money!
And most “failures” are not predatory – just social disorganization. Stay tuned…
Michael Hallstone ©2006