Calendar Listing - January 28, 2001
Office of the Commissioner of Probation

Violent Criminals on Probation in Bay State increase 206 percent

          The number of violent criminals on probation has dramatically increased,representing a 206 percent surge over the past decade, according to a statistical review conducted by the Research
Department in the Office of the Commissioner of Probation.

          This “hardcore” group of offenders numbered 4,899 in 1990 compared to 14,956 in calendar year 2000. In the years between,1991 to 1999, the offender count is as follows: 5,692 in 1991; 7,708
in 1992; 9,197 in 1993; 10, 067 in 1994; 10,693 in 1995; 12,102 in 1996; 12,946 in 1997; 14,707 in 1998; and 15,193 in 1999.

          The range of offenses for violent offenders range from attempted murder to assault and battery with or without a weapon as well as domestic assault and sex crimes. The statistical data is
based on deposition information.

          During this same ten-year period, the number of offenders under maximum supervision jumped 202 percent from 8,554 in 1990 to 25,802 in 2000. Offenders under maximum supervision from 1991 to 1999 are as follows: 8,366 in 1991; 10,408 in 1992; 18,958 in 1993; 14,681 in 1994; 15,953 in 1995; 18,479 in 1996; 20,705 in 1997; 23,367 in 1998; and 24,700 in 1999. Violent offenders are under intensive supervision and are monitored by the Massachusetts Probation Service during evening hours and on the weekend as part of a community supervision initiative.

          “Society in general has become more violent over the past decade. The level of violence among parents involved with youth sports has certainly grown. School violence has become a national as well as local concern. There has also been an alarming increase in female violent offenders,” said Carmen A. Cicchetti, Director of Research for the Commissioner’s Office.

          According to Cicchetti, violent women offenders on probation jumped from 323 in 1990 to 1,531 in 2000 which represents a 374 percent increase.

          Another indicator for the upswing in violent offenders on probation may be the increase in victims reporting violent offenses, particularly domestic violence. “Ten years ago, victims of domestic
abuse did not report these crimes as frequently. However, beginning in 1992, the push by domestic violence activists in encouraging victims to go public about the abuse has made a difference in the increase in reporting domestic violence,” said Cicchetti.

          The Massachusetts Probation Service is a department of the Massachusetts Trial Court. There are 12 Superior Court, 69 District Court, one Municipal Court, and 12 Probate and Family Court
probation offices throughout the Commonwealth. Probation’s Juvenile Court system includes 11 divisions which represent every county in the state. The Office of the Commissioner of Probation (OCP) serves as the central administrative office for the state Probation service and the Office of Community Corrections which operates 23 Community Corrections Centers throughout the state.