Policy Changes Can Pare Down Probation and Parole.

• Author: Essex, Amanda
• Position: CRIMINAL JUSTICE - Brief article

One in 55 adults, or 4.5 million people, are on probation or parole in this country. African-Americans and men are overrepresented, with black adults being 3.5 times more likely than whites and men being 3.5 times more likely than women to be under supervision.

Policy changes can lower the number of people under supervision and address racial and gender disparities while improving public safety, according to a new report by The Pew Charitable Trusts and Arnold Ventures.

In recent years, at least 15 states have adopted laws designed to achieve those goals by using validated risk assessments. These evaluations help determine people's...