Preliminary Evidence of Adaptive Decision Making Techniques Used by Parole Board Members

Abstract

Given wide-ranging interest in the predictors of recidivism, it is surprising that relatively little research has focused on a major factor influencing offenders' ability to re-offend—conditional release decisions. Using a correlational design and hypothetical offender vignettes, this study examined conditional release decisions in a sample of 31 parole board members from Canada and New Zealand. Results revealed marked inter-individual differences, not related to demographic characteristics, in the parole decisions reached, as well as in the amount and types of file information considered. Results also demonstrated variation in decisions by offender type, as well as in the frequency with which different file information was accessed. These patterns offered preliminary evidence of the use of adaptive decision making techniques among board members, with case reviews focusing on specific information known to be related to parole outcome. Though useful in the face of time pressures, such techniques may be inconsistent with legislated requirements.