UW Joins National Challenge to Increase Probation Success, Protect Public Safety

The University of Wyoming’s Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology, in partnership with Denver Adult Probation, has been selected to participate in the Reducing Revocations Challenge.

The research project is a national initiative of Arnold Ventures and the CUNY (City University of New York) Institute for State and Local Governance (ISLG) dedicated to understanding the drivers of probation revocations -- and identifying ways to reduce the community supervision failures that send almost 350,000 people to jails and prisons each year.

The challenge aims to increase success of probation through the identification, piloting and testing of promising strategies grounded in a robust analysis and understanding of why revocations occur.

“We are excited to work with Denver Adult Probation on such an important issue,” says Eric Wodahl, associate professor in UW’s Criminal Justice Program. “It is a great opportunity for our department to collaborate with Arnold Ventures, CUNY ISLG and the other jurisdictions in the learning network to further our understanding of probation failures and identify opportunities to improve supervision outcomes.”

To carry out this work, UW’s department will receive a $160,000 grant to conduct on-the-ground, in-depth research and data analysis on the drivers of probation failures in the Denver area. The findings will be used to propose evidence-based solutions for policy and practice; selected strategies may receive additional funding in a potential second phase of the initiative.

UW will be part of a learning network alongside the nine other jurisdictions selected to participate in the challenge, including participation in a cross-site summit, where findings and potential solutions will be shared and discussed. Members of the learning network also will receive guidance and technical assistance from ISLG and an advisory board of experts in the field at each step along the way. 

“Probation revocations are a significant driver of incarceration -- in light of that, it’s great to see corrections leaders stepping up to transform what’s not working and expand what is,” says Amy Solomon, vice president of criminal justice at Arnold Ventures. “The Reducing Revocations Challenge sites represent the cutting edge of research-practitioner partnerships, and each site will serve as a model for other jurisdictions, demonstrating the most effective ways to reduce probation failures, strengthen public safety and ensure greater equity in our communities.”

“Probation violations have resulted in significant increases to prison populations to no good effect, and it’s time to refocus resources on policies and practices that will help people succeed and increase public safety,” says Michael Jacobson, executive director of ISLG and former commissioner of the New York City Department of Probation. “We look forward to collaborating with these 10 sites in their pioneering efforts to do just that. Understanding what drives revocations -- and for whom -- is a critical first step, and the insights we gain from the challenge can help probation offices around the country advance effective strategies for increasing success.”