Does Parole Work? A Post-Release Comparison of Reconviction Rates for Paroled and Non-Paroled Prisoners

Abstract

The question “Does parole work?” remains unanswered, as evidenced by moves to abolish or limit it in various jurisdictions. For example, England and Wales has legislation on its statute books which to all intents and purposes abolishes parole. Antipodean jurisdictions have also considered this. Although to date none has yet abolished it, discretionary early release regularly comes under critical scrutiny. This paper attempts to add to the relatively limited literature addressing the question. It reports on a sophisticated analysis of data on prisoners released in England and Wales, to determine whether there is any reduction in recidivism which can be ascribed to the process of release on parole. It finds a small, but consistent, effect in favour of parole, on a number of outcome measures.