Pubdate: Tue, 15 Jul 2003
Source: Herald, The (SC)
Copyright: 2003 The Herald
Contact:  http://www.heraldonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/369
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)

A PROBATION ALTERNATIVE

Gov. Mark Sanford's interest in exploring the feasibility of a "shock 
probation" program for South Carolina indicates his willingness to explore 
new solutions to old problems. We hope, however, he focuses on two 
questions: Does it work and can the state afford it? Sanford recently asked 
officials with the state Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon 
Services to set up a tour of an out-of-state shock-probation program. The 
governor reportedly is keenly interested in developing a South Carolina 
version of the program, which subjects offenders to an intensely physical 
"boot camp" experience to modify behavior.

Offenders can be sent to a 90-day shock probation camp instead of or in 
addition to regular long-term supervision. The S.C. Department of 
Corrections already offers an optional shock-incarceration program that can 
significantly reduce an inmate's sentence. The state also has a 
shock-probation program for juvenile offenders.

The current probation program is far from perfect. Each year, about 6,000 
of those monitored by DPPPS end up in prison for probation or parole 
violations or for committing new crimes. And when DPPPS agents tested 
23,000 of the state's 40,000 probationers and parolees last year, a third 
of them tested positive for illegal substances.

For some of them, no doubt, three months in a military-style setting with 
behavioral specialists helping them form new habits would be a 
life-altering experience. But shock probation would not address the basic 
problem plaguing most in the system: Inadequate education and job training.

DPPPS Director Jim McClain told the governor the average person released 
from prison in South Carolina has a ninth-grade education, and that lack of 
job support is one of the major reasons for parole violations. McClain is 
skeptical about shock probation, noting that several national studies 
suggest the programs particularly are not effective. What is effective, 
said McClain, is short-term residential probation that includes job-skills 
training and drug, alcohol and psychological counseling.

Charleston and Spartanburg both have such programs. The problem is, they 
are very expensive to run.

All in all, however, South Carolina has a better rate of keeping offenders 
from returning to jail than the national average. In South Carolina, 66 
percent of those supervised by DPPPS complete probation or parole without 
being cited for violating terms of supervision or caught committing another 
crime. The national rate is only 48 percent.

Obviously, the state could do better, and shock probation might play a 
role. Anything that provides a cost-effective alternative to putting or 
keeping more people in prison is worth a look.

The state's inmate population is growing by 1,200 prisoners a year, and 
increasing demand for space will require construction of a new prison every 
18 months at a cost of $50 million to $80 million each. And with 
across-the-board budget cuts, the Department of Corrections barely can 
afford to run the prisons it has now.

Ultimately, however, we suspect there is no cheap and easy solution to 
keeping people out of prison. Until they are educated and have a means to 
legally support themselves, they likely are to turn to crime.

Shock probation might be a useful tool, but state must determine if it is 
most efficient use of limited money.
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MAP posted-by: Jackl