eParole
Using ubiquitous networked
technology to reduce recidivism
Yonatan Kelib • Kate Bauer • Dan Albritton
Tikva Morowati • Josh Knowles
ITP
Interactive
New York University
Telecommunications
Program

eParole ➔ Defining the Problem
What is Parole?
Prison ➔ Parole ➔ Freedom

eParole ➔ Defining the Problem
The Size of the Problem
750,000 people
$4,500,000,000

eParole ➔ Defining the Problem
Goals of Parole
Supervision
Rehabilitation
Transition

eParole ➔ Defining the Problem
Is it working?

eParole ➔ Defining the Problem
67% Recidivism Rate*
* Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2004

eParole ➔ Overview
eParole is...
Status Report
Transition
Partner
Rehabilitation Supervision
Monitor

eParole
We are failing at
supervision.

eParole ➔ Parole Officer Supervision
Wasting Time
According to Bill McCartney, Director
Brooklyn Parole Office (the largest parole
district in the country):
• 60% of parole officer time is spent on
paperwork.
• Too much time spent on policing.
• Not enough time spent advising or helping.

eParole ➔ Parole Officer Supervision
National Average
60:1
Parolees Parole Officer
* Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2004

eParole ➔ Parole Officer Supervision
Florida
134:1
Parole Officer
Parolees
* Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2004

eParole ➔ Parole Officer Supervision
California
182:1
Parole Officer
Parolees
* Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2004

eParole ➔ Parole Officer Supervision
Worst Case Scenario
“[He] just did nothing wrong
as far as parole supervision
went, but he was dealing
drugs and shooting people
with twelve-gauge
shotguns...”
- Al Rosario
Special Services Director at the Brooklyn Parole Office
Parole Officer for 30 years

eParole ➔ Parole Officer Supervision
10% of parolees
completely disappear
in the eyes of the system

eParole
The Monitor
Location Tracker Drug Tracker

eParole ➔ The Monitor
Current eParole
• Attached to landline • Advanced GPS
phone via local radio
• Cell/WiMax
signal
• Drug use tracking
• Not ubiquitous capabilities

eParole ➔ The Monitor
Parole Officer Interface

eParole ➔ The Monitor
Benefits
Speed & Accuracy Policing & Counseling &
of Tracking Office Work Social Services

eParole ➔ Parolee Rehabilitation
We are failing at
rehabilitation.

eParole ➔ Parolee Rehabilitation
Problems
• Limited support: $25 and bus ticket
• Limited individual time with parole officer
• Limited counseling
• Inefficient use of resources
• Cookie cutter approach

eParole
The Partner
Map Schedule Plug-ins

eParole ➔ The Partner
Map

eParole ➔ The Partner
Schedule

eParole ➔ The Partner
Plug-ins

eParole ➔ The Partner
A New Approach to
Rehabilitation
• Allows easy sharing of data.
• Close the feedback loop.
• Solve the “cookie cutter” problem.
• Empower parolees for positive change.

eParole ➔ Transition to Freedom
We are failing at the
transition from parole to
freedom.

eParole
Job
Application

eParole
Status Report

eParole ➔ Status Report
Benefits
• Improves accountability.
• Allows a second chance.

eParole ➔ Transition to Freedom
Effects of eParole

eParole ➔ Effects
Better supervision +
Better rehabilitation =
Lower recidivism

eParole ➔ Effects
Effects on Society

eParole ➔ Effects
Reduce Prison Time
Prison Parole
Prison eParole
- According to Charlotte Davidson
Lead Attorney for the Office of the
Chief Administrators in the NYS Department of Parole

eParole ➔ Effects
Reducing Costs
• Prison cost per year: $31,000
• Parole cost per year: $6,000
• More funds available for social services and
policing while still lowering crime.
• Leads to a virtuous cycle.

eParole
Using ubiquitous networked
technology to reduce recidivism

Thanks
Charlotte Davidson
Lead Attorney for the Office of the Chief Administrators in the
NYS Department of Parole
Al Rosario
Special Services Coordinator at the Brooklyn Parole Office
Parole Officer for 30 years
Bill McCartney
Area Supervisor and Executive Liaison for the NYPD
Former Parole Officer
Parolees at Hour Children

Thanks
C.D. Cook Sr.
Parole Officer at the Brooklyn Parole Office
Dr. Nancy Jacobs
Head of the John Jay Criminal Justice Research Center
David Lewis
Director and Founder of Free at Last
Former Parolee
Statisticians at the Bureau of Justice Statistics
Clay Shirky and everyone at ITP