An Overview of the Research on Day Reporting Centers
A tool that parole officers could use to increase their options with chronic substance users and other frequent parole/ probation violators would be to institute a “swift and certain sanction” method to deal with violations while the participant is being treated at a DRC. Hawken et al. (2016) reported promising results for the HOPE project. DRC participants who violate the conditions of their supervision could be handled through the HOPE method of swift and certain sanctions. Although not a panacea, the HOPE method may increase compliance with the DRC program, including with attendance and successful completion. In the HOPE method, parolees/probationers not in compliance with their supervision would be subject to serving a brief stint in jail as a response. This method may be useful throughout the participant’s time at a DRC but may be particularly effective during the initial stages of a DRC program, when the individual is, more than likely, in a precontemplation stage of change.
