A study of the effects of specialized supervision on the recidivism rate of misdemeanor D.W.I. probationers in Orange County, Texas

A Study of the Effects of Specialized Supervision on the Recidivism rates of Misdemeanor D.W.I. Probationers in Orange County, Texas. Master of Arts (Institute of Contemporary Corrections and the Behavioral Sciences) December, 1974, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas. Purpose The primary purpose of this project was: (1) to determine if there was a significant difference between misdemeanor D.W.I probationers treated through specialized supervision and those treated through general supervision, as measured by recidivism rates, and (2) to determine if this difference was the result of specialized supervision or if the results were due to other factors. Methods The methods used in this study were: (1) the collection of data pertaining to a probationer’s re-arrest, subsequent traffic convictions and willingness to comply with a court ordered supervision fee, and (2) the comparison of general and specialized caseloads in each of the above categories. Conclusions were then formulated based on categorical, as well as aggregate, data. The chi-square technique was used considering data in Group I as being the expected and Group II as being the observed results. Chi-square values indicating a .05 level of confidence were considered significant. Findings 1. There appears to be no significant difference between probationers supervised under general supervision and those supervised by specialized supervision in terms of re-arrests for six months following the probation judgement. 2. There is a significant difference between Group I and Group II in terms of traffic convictions for six months following the probation judgement. 3. There is a significant difference between Group I and Group II in terms of supervision fee payments for six months following the probation judgement. 4. Probationers treated through specialized supervision tend to pay the supervision fee more readily than their counterparts under general supervision. 5. Success rates, based on a comparison of aggregate data, tend to be greater in 1970 than in 1973. The success rate of probationers in 1973 appears to be related to an increased proficiency of law enforcement rather than poor supervision techniques.