A PROBATION ALTERNATIVE

Gov. Mark Sanford's interest in exploring the feasibility of a "shock
probation" program for South Carolina indicates his willingness to explore
new solutions to old problems. We hope, however, he focuses on two
questions: Does it work and can the state afford it? Sanford recently asked
officials with the state Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon
Services to set up a tour of an out-of-state shock-probation program. The
governor reportedly is keenly interested in developing a South Carolina
version of the program, which subjects offenders to an intensely physical
"boot camp" experience to modify behavior.

Offenders can be sent to a 90-day shock probation camp instead of or in
addition to regular long-term supervision. The S.C. Department of
Corrections already offers an optional shock-incarceration program that can
significantly reduce an inmate's sentence. The state also has a
shock-probation program for juvenile offenders.

The current probation program is far from perfect. Each year, about 6,000
of those monitored by DPPPS end up in prison for probation or parole
violations or for committing new crimes. And when DPPPS agents tested
23,000 of the state's 40,000 probationers and parolees last year, a third
of them tested positive for illegal substances.

For some of them, no doubt, three months in a military-style setting with
behavioral specialists helping them form new habits would be a
life-altering experience. But shock probation would not address the basic
problem plaguing most in the system: Inadequate education and job training.

DPPPS Director Jim McClain told the governor the average person released
from prison in South Carolina has a ninth-grade education, and that lack of
job support is one of the major reasons for parole violations. McClain is
skeptical about shock probation, noting that several national studies
suggest the programs particularly are not effective. What is effective,
said McClain, is short-term residential probation that includes job-skills
training and drug, alcohol and psychological counseling.

Charleston and Spartanburg both have such programs. The problem is, they
are very expensive to run.

All in all, however, South Carolina has a better rate of keeping offenders
from returning to jail than the national average. In South Carolina, 66
percent of those supervised by DPPPS complete probation or parole without
being cited for violating terms of supervision or caught committing another
crime. The national rate is only 48 percent.

Obviously, the state could do better, and shock probation might play a
role. Anything that provides a cost-effective alternative to putting or
keeping more people in prison is worth a look.

The state's inmate population is growing by 1,200 prisoners a year, and
increasing demand for space will require construction of a new prison every
18 months at a cost of $50 million to $80 million each. And with
across-the-board budget cuts, the Department of Corrections barely can
afford to run the prisons it has now.

Ultimately, however, we suspect there is no cheap and easy solution to
keeping people out of prison. Until they are educated and have a means to
legally support themselves, they likely are to turn to crime.

Shock probation might be a useful tool, but state must determine if it is
most efficient use of limited money.