No abstract

Although much has been written about probation recidivism, studies have primarily focused on rates of recidivism and the characteristics of probationers who succeed or fail. Few studies have examined the types or seriousness of violations that probationers commit while on probation. This article examines the rates and timing of technical violations versus new criminal offenses that probationers commit while under probation supervision. Factors related to the commission of these two types of violations are also examined. Findings indicate that most probation violations were for technical reasons, and a significant proportion were committed during the first 3 months of probation. Few probationers committed new crimes while on probation, and these were often committed later in the probation period. Findings also reveal that certain characteristics of probationers were predictive of early technical and new criminal violations. Implications are discussed.

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Deterrence theory has been repeatedly used to explain individuals' choices to commit vs. not commit crimes. Its utilitarian premise is that individuals will choose to commit or not commit crimes based on the certainty, swiftness, and severity of punishments. This study examines the perceived certainty of sanctions among offenders mandated into intensive probation and the effects of varying levels of perceived sanction certainty in deterring offenders from violating probation requirements. Data from an Intensive Supervision Probation program in New Jersey are used. Results support the salience of offenders' perceptions of sanction certainty on their intensive probation outcomes, and implications for policy are discussed.

The use of physical restraints as an accepted clinical intervention was dramatically changed by enactment of legislation in the United States. As a result, nursing personnel's notions of restraints as a therapeutic intervention were challenged. This study was initiated to obtain a better understanding of the underlying motivations for restraint use as a clinical intervention and to provide data helpful to nursing staff as they make the transition to restraint-free care. In the study, 124 long-term-care nursing personnel were surveyed regarding their perceptions of restraint use, and were asked whether or not they would recommend using restraints in selected clinical situations. Results of stepwise regression showed that 40% of the variation in the recommendation to use restraints can be explained by the type of nursing personnel (licensed nurse vs. nursing assistant), liability and treatment concerns related to restraint use, age of the nursing staff, and a belief that reducing restraints increases the need for psychoactive medications.