Short‑sentence parole program saved bed‑days and money with no detectable rise in convictions, staff report

Brett Miller of the research and analysis unit summarized the commission’s second evaluation of the Department of Corrections’ Short Sentence Parole (SSP) program, which has operated since 2020.

Key findings: more than 3,000 individuals have been successfully released under SSP over five years (about 700 per year). The typical SSP release saved roughly 106 bed‑days compared with counterparts, yielding about 74,000 bed‑days saved annually. Using marginal cost estimates for confinement and adding increased parole supervision costs, the staff estimated a net savings to the correctional system of about $2.45 million per year.

Recidivism: with a full three‑year follow‑up and conviction‑based outcome measures, the analysis found three‑year recidivism rates for SSP participants and comparable DOC release groups were roughly similar—around 25%—and differences were not statistically significant. SSP participants were less likely to commit violent crimes and more likely to have misdemeanor recidivism than the general DOC release cohorts.

Programming and equity notes: SSP participants were less likely to participate in optional programming because of short stays (58% participation vs about 75–83% for other groups), but mandatory programming that participants began was typically completed. Staff noted the program tends to be used more often in smaller/rural counties and that ongoing monitoring is needed to track participation and outcomes.

The commission expects to circulate the final draft to partners and submit the evaluation to the legislature by the stated deadline.