Diminishing or durable treatment effects of STARR? A research note on 24-month re-arrest rates

Abstract

In 2009 the Administrative Office of the US Courts developed and piloted a training program (STARR) for probation and pretrial officers. The purpose of this program was to train officers in the use of core correctional practices in their one-on-one interactions with offenders. Two areas of interest were subsequently investigated by researchers. First, did the training impact officer behaviors and second did trained officers supervise offenders that had lower failure rates. The evaluation of this effort was published in 2012 and used a 12-month follow-up for the measure of recidivism. The current study, a research note, extends the follow-up period for recidivism to 24 months. While there is some decline in the overall treatment effects it appears that STARR training is associated with a reduction in recidivism for moderate-risk offenders. Further, when coupled with training in MI, STARR seems to provide a promising reduction in recidivism with high-risk offenders. The limitations of the study and policy implications are discussed.