Contingent Intermediate Sentences: New Jersey's Intensive Supervision Program

New Jersey's Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) provides substantially higher levels of punishment, supervision, and counseling than are provided under ordinary probation or parole. These three correctional elements are contingently administered. Based on the nature of the offense and the offender's conformity to the rules of ISP, the counseling and the punitive and supervisory constraints are gradually lessened over the 18-month program. The most recent data on participants' terminations and recidivism rates are presented. The cost-effectiveness of the program and some practical lessons learned are also discussed.