Center on Sentencing and Corrections: Research and Evaluation Services

Using Applied Research to Guide Policy and Practice
A key service of Vera’s Center on Sentencing and Corrections is data analysis that helps government officials diagnose problems and evaluate policies and programs. Staff also conduct original research to contribute to the field’s larger base of empirical knowledge. CSC researchers employ a broad range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including statistical analysis, survey development, and focus groups. Current and recent work includes

• Helping New York State develop and implement graduated responses to parole violations. Vera researchers are conducting statistical analyses to identify factors that influence the behavior of people on parole and the decisions of parole officers who supervise them. The findings will be used to create interventions and sanctions specifically designed for New York State’s parole system and population.
• Evaluating Alternative Sentences in Nebraska. Piloted in five sites in 2006, Nebraska’s Specialized Substance Abuse Supervision (SSAS) program seeks to reduce the state’s prison population by having probation and parole officials work together on community-based supervision and substance use treatment for nonviolent individuals who would otherwise be incarcerated. Vera researchers are conducting a process evaluation to determine how SSAS has been put into practice. The findings will be used to create a model for implementing SSAS and other community corrections programs statewide.
• Developing an Evidence-Based Intermediate Sanctions Model in Oregon. In 2008, Vera researchers evaluated the impact of intermediate sanctions—such as drug treatment, community service, and jail—as responses when people violated the conditions of their parole or probation supervision in Multnomah County, Oregon. The research concluded that most people did not require any sanction or intervention, but those who received a jail sanction were more likely to be re-arrested and reconvicted than a similar group who did not. Based on this finding, the county has refined its use of jail and is examining how all such sanctions are used.

How Research Contributes to Policy
Research and evaluation are essential to CSC’s work in shaping sentencing and corrections policy. Because there are no “one-size-fits-all” answers to local challenges, it is critical to develop solutions that are informed by the characteristics of the jurisdiction where they are being introduced and to assess whether or not they are achieving the desired impact. This data-driven approach not only minimizes reliance on anecdotal evidence, it also helps jurisdictions achieve a consistent standard for policymaking.