Probation and Parole Revocations: Reviewing Over Two Decades of Revocation Decisions in the United States

Abstract

Spanning over two decades, this systematic review includes 35 studies that focus explicitly on probation and parole revocations in the United States. Findings reveal that studies vary in their operationalization of “revocation” and that researchers have depended primarily on quantitative monomethod approaches to study revocations. Studies suggest that revocations are contributing to incarceration rates, although the extent to which this occurs is not clear. Violation trends show that the accumulation of technical violations, especially ongoing program and treatment noncompliance, contributes to revocation outcomes. Probation/parole client sociodemographic characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, and sex, are differentially associated with supervision outcomes, and these characteristics often work distinctly and in tandem to impact revocation trends. Research implications include providing clear and consistent measurements of revocation outcomes and engaging in more diverse research methodologies. Policy implications focus on empirically evaluating structured decision-making instruments and implementing more extensive reentry programs, especially those focused on employment.