Program Allows Offenders to Earn a Way Off Probation

Wisconsin is one of nine states to receive a federal grant to experiment with something called Smart Probation. A select group of offenders will get a chance to earn their way off probation.

The re-entry coordinator for the state prison system Erin King is quick to point out that this is an experiment complete with a control group that won’t be getting a shot at reducing the amount of time they are on probation. Wisconsin’s version of smart probation is called dosage probation. King says it will target 300 offenders with moderate to high recidivism risk. One hundred and fifty will get no incentive to get off early based on their behavior and the other half will get the incentive, “Using behavioral based interventions, we’ll target their criminal behaviors and by accomplishing particular risk reducing objectives afford them the opportunity for termination of supervision. So they’ll get off early for achieving some goals that we can show demonstrate a measurable change in their behavior in a positive direction.”

The two year experiment will be funded with a $250,000 federal grant. King calls it a cutting edge probation reform effort. If it’s successful more offenders may be allowed to earn their way off parole.