Post release arrest experiences of federal prisoners: A six-year follow-up

The likelihood of further criminal conduct is important in allocation decisions for parole supervision resources. In this article, the relationship between arrest-free time after release (alone and in combination with other variables) and the probability of subsequent arrest is examined for a relatively large random sample of released federal prisoners (N=1,806). A six-year follow-up period is made possible by the use of “rap sheet” records provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Knowledge of this relationship may be used to provide empirical guidance for decisions about the intensity and/or duration of supervision; and a method for the practical application of this knowledge in case decision-making is illustrated.