Panel Paper: Impact Findings from the HOPE Demonstration Field Experiment

Thursday, November 6, 2014 : 10:15 AM
Santo Domingo (Convention Center)

*Names in bold indicate Presenter

Susan Brumbaugh1, Doris L. MacKenzie2 and Pamela K. Lattimore1, (1)RTI International, Inc., (2)Pennsylvania State University
A randomized control trial (RCT) experiment is underway in four sites to evaluate the effectiveness of four programs replicating the Hawaii Opportunity with Enforcement program. The model developed in Hawaii in 2004 emphasizes close monitoring; frequent drug testing; and certain, swift, and consistent sanctioning; initial examinations of the Hawaii program suggest that the approach is a promising if not yet proven. The goal of the current evaluation is to determine whether the program—now called Honest Opportunity with Enforcement (HOPE)—can be replicated with fidelity on the US mainland and to determine whether the program results in improvements in appointment compliance, urine test results, rearrest rates, revocations rates, jail days served, and prison days sentenced. In 2012, the RCT began random assignment of probationers to either the HOPE program or probation as usual (PAU). Preliminary findings from interview and administrative recidivism data are presented.