Short stay in jail cuts crime study finds.

A Seattle pilot program that imposes a punishment of three to five days in jail for violations of community supervision is significantly reducing drug use, incarceration and criminal activity, according to a report prepared for the Seattle City Council. According to the Seattle Times, the program was introduced to the state last year by Seattle City Councilman Tim Burgess, whose idea was based on a successful Hawaii probation program that takes a "swift but sure" approach to violations.

The state is using existing correctional officers but has created a team in Seattle that works closely with local police to quickly arrest any offenders who violate the terms of their community supervision. Frequent, unannounced drug testing is required of all participants, and those who fail a drug test are immediately arrested under the program.

The city is paying for the program evaluation conducted by Angela Hawken, an associate professor of economics and policy at Pepperdine University. Though the evaluation lasted only six months, the study's findings have implications for corrections statewide where more than $270 million in cuts during the past three years could mean early release for thousands of inmates. So far, offenders seem to understand the intentions of the new program. One repeat offender with multiple violations during previous attempts on community supervision had not committed a single violation under the new program. When asked why, he responded, "I could tell you guys were serious."