Racial Disparities in Probation: Examining Officers’ Filing Practices and Judicial Revocation Decisions

This study examines racial disparity at two key decision-making points: a probation officer's decision to file a petition to revoke (PTR) and a judge's decision to revoke probation. We use data from 4,111 probation clients in one midwestern probation agency that has a long-standing commitment to evidence-informed practices, including reducing racial disparity. Although results do not find racial disparity in probation revocations, results show persistent disparity in officers' filing of PTRs that are most prominent at the lowest levels of supervision, between White clients and those identifying with other racial or ethnic identities. After an extensive list of key predictors and interactions with race is included, we are still unable to account for what underlies racial disparity; this suggests unseen systemic or social structural barriers may contribute to racial disparities in PTR filings, even in agencies committed to reducing disparities. Implications for probation policy and practice are discussed.