The Rhode Island The Rhode Island ExperienceExperience

Ellen Evans AlexanderEllen Evans Alexander

Assistant DirectorAssistant Director

RI Department of CorrectionsRI Department of Corrections

Rhode Island in a NutshellRhode Island in a Nutshell

Unified Prison System with 8 jail and prison Unified Prison System with 8 jail and prison facilitiesfacilities

3700 inmates (81% sentenced and 19% 3700 inmates (81% sentenced and 19% awaiting trial)awaiting trial)

Average sentence is 17 monthsAverage sentence is 17 months Majority receive a sentence of 6 months or less Majority receive a sentence of 6 months or less

(not parole eligible)(not parole eligible) 27,000 offenders on probation and parole27,000 offenders on probation and parole

• 145 offenders seen by Parole Board monthly145 offenders seen by Parole Board monthly• 387 offenders are under parole supervision387 offenders are under parole supervision• 66 offenders are on electronic monitoring66 offenders are on electronic monitoring

Rhode Island Parole BoardRhode Island Parole Board Statutory authority to consider the early release of Statutory authority to consider the early release of

incarcerated offenders who have been sentenced to incarcerated offenders who have been sentenced to more than six (6) months and who have served not less more than six (6) months and who have served not less than one-third 1/3 of the sentence.than one-third 1/3 of the sentence.

In July 2007 structured decision-making was In July 2007 structured decision-making was implemented. The Parole Board continues to exercise implemented. The Parole Board continues to exercise broad discretion to determine when and if an offender broad discretion to determine when and if an offender will be released from imprisonment. will be released from imprisonment.

Statutory authority to revoke parole if the parolee has Statutory authority to revoke parole if the parolee has violated state law or violated the terms and conditions of violated state law or violated the terms and conditions of his or her permit.his or her permit.

Parole Risk AssessmentParole Risk Assessment Two components provide an actuarial based risk score.Two components provide an actuarial based risk score.

1. Risk Assessment Instrument1. Risk Assessment Instrumentstatic factors static factors (i.e. commitment offense, past history of violence or felonies)(i.e. commitment offense, past history of violence or felonies)dynamic factors dynamic factors (i.e. current age, prison programs completed during (i.e. current age, prison programs completed during incarceration, discipline, scored custody level)incarceration, discipline, scored custody level)

2. Offense severity class2. Offense severity classRange from low for non-violent crimes to highest for capital Range from low for non-violent crimes to highest for capital crimes.crimes.

Both factors are merged into a Severity Risk MatrixBoth factors are merged into a Severity Risk Matrix

The instrument is scored upon sentenced commitment and then The instrument is scored upon sentenced commitment and then scored a second time about one month before the parole hearing.scored a second time about one month before the parole hearing.

TCU Drug ScreenTCU Drug Screen DOC starts preparing for potential Parole Board consideration the day the DOC starts preparing for potential Parole Board consideration the day the

inmate is sentenced.inmate is sentenced.

Initial indications is that 70-80% of our sentenced population need Initial indications is that 70-80% of our sentenced population need substance abuse treatment.substance abuse treatment.

Texas Christian University (TCU) Drug Screen is an initial screening Texas Christian University (TCU) Drug Screen is an initial screening instrument to assess need for drug treatment.instrument to assess need for drug treatment.

TCU ParticularsTCU Particulars 15 questions15 questions administered day after sentencingadministered day after sentencing started January 2007started January 2007 scoring indicates a need level (low, medium, high)scoring indicates a need level (low, medium, high)

Results of first studyResults of first study

Need LevelNeed Level NumberNumber PercentPercent

Low or none (0-2)Low or none (0-2) 291291 17.2%17.2%

Medium (3-5)Medium (3-5) 391391 23.1%23.1%

High (6-9)High (6-9) 10121012 59.7%59.7%

TCU / Parole Risk Matrix TCU / Parole Risk Matrix Factors to determine when and type of substance abuse treatmentFactors to determine when and type of substance abuse treatment

TCU need levelTCU need level initial parole risk levelinitial parole risk level sentence lengthsentence length

These 3 factors result inThese 3 factors result in program recommendation for type of substance abuse treatmentprogram recommendation for type of substance abuse treatment recommended start date for treatmentrecommended start date for treatment

Goal: Inmate can complete recommended program before first parole hearingGoal: Inmate can complete recommended program before first parole hearing

Distribution of first studyDistribution of first study

Recommended ProgramRecommended Program NumberNumber PercentPercent

No Program RecommendedNo Program Recommended 221221 16.8%16.8%

OutpatientOutpatient 292292 22.2%22.2%

Intensive OutpatientIntensive Outpatient 202202 15.3%15.3%

ResidentialResidential 601601 45.7%45.7%

Initial Parole Board Release & In-Prison Substance Abuse Treatment MatrixInitial Parole Board Release & In-Prison Substance Abuse Treatment Matrix

Parole Risk Assessment

TCU Screen

Low Risk Medium Risk High Risk

No/Low Substance Abuse Need TCU: 0-2

Grant Rate: High at first hearing

Substance Abuse Program Requirements:

None

Grant Rate: Moderate at first hearing

Substance Abuse Program Requirements:

None

Grant Rate: Low until program completion

Substance Abuse Program Requirements:

None

Medium Substance Abuse Need TCU: 3-5

Grant Rate: High at first hearing

Substance Abuse Program Requirements:

If sentence is <24 months: None

If sentence is ≥24 months: Outpatient – 8 weeks

SA Program to be Completed by:

First parole eligibility date

Grant Rate: Moderate at first hearing

Substance Abuse Program Requirements:

If sentence is <24 months: None

If sentence is ≥24 months: Outpatient – 8 weeks

SA Program to be Completed by:

First parole eligibility date

Grant Rate: Low until program completion

Substance Abuse Program Requirements:

Outpatient – 8 weeks SA Program to be Completed by:

50 percent of sentence served

High Substance Abuse Need TCU: 6-9

Grant Rate: Moderate at first hearing

Substance Abuse Program Requirements: If sentence is <12 months:

Brief Outpatient – 4 weeks If sentence is ≥12 months:

Intensive Outpatient – 12 weeks If sentence is ≥24 months:

Residential – 6 months SA Program to be Completed by:

First parole eligibility date

Grant Rate: Moderate once programs are completed

Substance Abuse Program Requirements: If sentence is <12 months:

Brief Outpatient – 4 weeks If sentence is ≥12 months:

Residential – 6 months SA Program to be Completed by:

First parole eligibility date

Grant Rate: Low until programs are completed

Substance Abuse Program Requirements: If sentence is≥ 12 months:

Residential – 6 months If sentence is <12 months:

Outpatient – 8 weeks

SA Program to be Completed by: 2/3rd of sentence served

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

1 Low Low n/a None None2 Low Medium < 18 months Outpatient 8 weeks before parole eligibility date3 Low Medium ≥ 18 months Outpatient 12 weeks before parole eligibilty date4 Low High <12 months Intensive Outpatient 8 weeks before parole eligibility date5 Low High ≥ 12 months < 24 months Intensive Outpatient 12 weeks before parole eligibility date6 Low High ≥ 24 months Residential 26 weeks before parole eligibility date7 Moderate Low n/a None None8 Moderate Medium < 18 months Outpatient 8 weeks before parole eligibility date9 Moderate Medium ≥ 18 months Outpatient 12 weeks before parole eligibilty date

10 Moderate High <12 months Intensive Outpatient 8 weeks before parole eligibility date11 Moderate High ≥ 12 months Residential 26 weeks before parole eligibility date12 High Low n/a None None13 High Medium not used as a factor Outpatient 8 weeks before (retro date + (totsentdays X .5))14 High High ≥ 12 months Residential 26 weeks before (retro date + (totsentdays X .66))15 High High < 12 months Intensive Outpatient 8 weeks before (retro date + (totsentdays X .66))

ScenarioParole Risk at

CommitTCU Need Total Sentence Length Program Required

REVISED JANUARY 2008

Changes are highlighted in yellow

Scenarios Based on Parole Risk & TCU Need

Rec. Prog. Start Date

Average MonthlyAverage Monthly Parole Population Parole PopulationFY06-FY09*FY06-FY09*

378

365

380

404

356

309

355

401

448

456448

444

250

300

350

400

450

500

Jul

Aug

Sep Oc

tNov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

FY07FY06FY08FY09

*FY09 through February 2009

Results and HurdlesResults and Hurdles

The number of parolees has increased 10 % over last year The number of parolees has increased 10 % over last year and 35% since fiscal year 2006.and 35% since fiscal year 2006.

In initial study, we found more people were paroled who In initial study, we found more people were paroled who were low risk and had moderate to low crime severity levels.were low risk and had moderate to low crime severity levels.

Risk LevelRisk Level

HighHigh ModerateModerate LowLow

Highest Highest Offense Offense

Severity Severity

LevelLevel

HighestHighest n/an/a( 0/ 0 )( 0/ 0 )

25 %25 %( 2/ 8 )( 2/ 8 )

26.1%26.1%( 12 / 46 )( 12 / 46 )

HighHigh 42.9%42.9%( 3 / 7 )( 3 / 7 )

32.8 %32.8 %( 19 / 58 )( 19 / 58 )

48.5 %48.5 %( 33 / 68 )( 33 / 68 )

ModerateModerate 38.5 %38.5 %( 5 / 13 )( 5 / 13 )

45.2 % 45.2 % ( 66 / 146 )( 66 / 146 )

64.0 %64.0 %( 87 / 136 )( 87 / 136 )

Low – ModerateLow – Moderate 20 %20 %( 1 / 5 )( 1 / 5 )

48.9 %48.9 %( 22 / 45 )( 22 / 45 )

50.8 %50.8 %( 30 / 59 )( 30 / 59 )

LowLow 100 %100 %( 3 /3 )( 3 /3 )

32.7 %32.7 %( 16 / 49 )( 16 / 49 )

47.6 %47.6 %( 20 / 42)( 20 / 42)

Results and Hurdles (continued)Results and Hurdles (continued) Offenders with low risk levels and low to moderate crime Offenders with low risk levels and low to moderate crime

severity were denied for various reasons:severity were denied for various reasons:• lack of program completionlack of program completion• seriousness of crimeseriousness of crime• limited insightlimited insight• long criminal historylong criminal history• recent bookingrecent booking• victim impactvictim impact

Not all recommended substance treatment programs are Not all recommended substance treatment programs are available in each prison facility. available in each prison facility.

Waiting lists for substance abuse programs both in prison Waiting lists for substance abuse programs both in prison and in community.and in community.

Economic downturn making job placement and secure Economic downturn making job placement and secure housing more challenging.housing more challenging.