Probationer Compliance With Conditions of Supervision, Virginia, 1994-1997

The impact of probation on the criminal activities of offenders and the relationship between these activities and technical violations were studied using both self-report and official data regarding 126 offenders on probation in Northern Virginia. Results revealed that probation reduced the self-reported criminal activities of the offenders. Younger males self-reported more criminal activities than did other groups. Offenders were more likely to be involved in criminal activity during the months when they were in school, using illegal drugs, or drinking alcohol heavily. Probation was more effective in reducing the criminal activities of older offenders than of younger offenders. Individuals with mental health counseling as a condition of probation self-reported fewer criminal activities than others. Self-reported criminal activities were also less likely to occur in months when probationers had personal contact with their probation officer or were assigned to the day reporting center.