“This is not a proven method of probation or parole,” said criminologist Francis Cullen, research professor emeritus at the University of Cincinnati. “It’s gotten a lot of hype. … But any probation department that puts this into place, it’s as likely not to work as it is to work. That’s the scientific evidence right now…“Liberals like it because they support anything that keeps people out of prison. Conservatives like it because it’s punitive. It’s something for everyone.”
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[I]n Chester County, which in 2016 launched such a program for high-risk drug offenders on probation, officials expressed optimism.
Those in the program must submit to random drug tests two or three times a week. If they admit using drugs, they spend two days in jail right away. If they deny use and test positive, they get five days in jail. That’s compared with a previous average of nine months in jail for probation Still, in Chester County, which in 2016 launched such a program for high-risk drug offenders on probation, officials expressed optimism.
Those in the program must submit to random drug tests two or three times a week. If they admit using drugs, they spend two days in jail right away. If they deny use and test positive, they get five days in jail. That’s compared with a previous average of nine months in jail for probation violations.
So far, the probation revocation rate has fallen from 59 percent to 40 percent, and the positive drug test rate is down from 41 percent to 7.5 percent.
“One young lady said she would be dead if she wasn’t in this program,” said Chris Pawlowski, a section director for adult probation in Chester County. “The random testing, in light of the heroin crisis we have, is really saving lives.” So far, the probation revocation rate has fallen from 59 percent to 40 percent, and the positive drug test rate is down from 41 percent to 7.5 percent.
“One young lady said she would be dead if she wasn’t in this program,” said Chris Pawlowski, a section director for adult probation in Chester County. “The random testing, in light of the heroin crisis we have, is really saving lives.”
