Crime in Idaho During COVID-19: Time Series Analysis of Data from the Idaho Incident-Based Reporting System
May 2023

This report presents analysis of Idaho Incident-Based Reporting System (IIBRS) data on reported crime, comparing the six-week period during March and April 2020 when a statewide stay-at-home public health order was in place to the same time period in other recent years (2018, 2019, and 2021).

Results indicate that total crime was significantly lower during the six-week period in 2020 compared to other years, dropping 28% from 2019 to 2020, then increasing 34% in 2021. A similar pattern was observed for drug/alcohol offenses, but not for four other offense types. Additionally, a significant drop in total reported crime was observed in mostly urban and mostly rural counties, but not in completely rural counties.

Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Violence Post-Clarke Decision
November 2022

This research brief presents analysis of Idaho Incident-Based Reporting System (IIBRS) data on incidents of domestic violence reported to law enforcement between 2017 and 2021. In June 2019, the Idaho Supreme Court ruled that warrantless arrests for misdemeanors are unconstitutional in Idaho unless a law enforcement officer witnessed the incident; this includes most domestic violence incidents in the state. ISAC analyzed data from the 10 quarters before and after the Clarke decision was issued, focusing on differences in outcomes of simple and aggravated domestic assault incidents.

Results indicate that there are key differences in how domestic assault incidents are being resolved post-Clarke. The proportion of incidents classified as aggravated assault increased about five percentage points after the Clarke decision, although the total number of reported domestic assault incidents remained stable. Additionally, the proportion of simple domestic assault incidents cleared by arrest has decreased almost 15 percentage points, while the proportion of arrestees that were cited rather than physically arrested has increased more than 28 percentage points.

Reducing the Burden of Fees: An Evaluation of Twin Falls County Adult Misdemeanor Probation’s Substance Abuse Treatment Voucher Program
November 2022

This report presents results from an evaluation of Twin Falls County’s JAG-funded program providing vouchers for substance abuse treatment to those on adult misdemeanor probation for drug- or alcohol-related convictions who cannot otherwise afford services. The program has been running since 2007. This evaluation utilizes data collected between October 2018 and September 2021.

Nearly 100 clients were accepted into the program over a 3-year period and were provided with over 2,600 hours of substance abuse treatment services. Nearly two-thirds of participants (66%) successfully completed the program, and 6-month recidivism rates for graduates was 8% (compared to 10% for similar probationers not enrolled in the program).

Establishing Continuity of Care: A Report on the Terry Reilly Health Systems Mentally Ill Offender Community Transition Program
November 2022

This report presents results from an evaluation of Terry Reilly Health Services’ JAG-funded Mentally Ill Offender Community Transition Program (MIO-CTP), a program aimed at ensuring that those exiting Idaho’s prisons are connected with mental health services upon returning to their communities. The program ran for about three years between 2017 and 2020. This evaluation utilizes data from the full duration of the program.

More than 460 clients were accepted into the MIO-CTP between June 2017 and October 2020. Less than a quarter (23%) had a verified mental health diagnosis before entering the program. Less than two-thirds of clients (59%) were directly served through the MIO-CTP, while nearly all clients (94%) were referred to other services not directly funded through the program. Of those who were accepted into the program, 27% were successfully discharged, but only 3% completed the full program; the other 24% transitioned to other programs or moved out of the service area.

Offending Patterns among Domestic Violence Offenders in Idaho
August 2022

This report presents results from a study of the criminal history records (CHR) of more than 56,000 individuals who have been arrested for a domestic violence (DV) crime in Idaho over the last 35 years. Demographics, criminal histories, and recidivism of DV offenders are all examined here. Additionally, ISAC evaluated the utility of using CHR data for research purposes. The implications of the study findings for public policy are also discussed.

Results indicate that the average DV offender in Idaho was male and in his mid-30s at the time of his first DV arrest. Nearly half of DV offenders (48%) had been previously arrested for a violent, property, or drug crime before their first DV arrest. About 45% of DV cases for which data was available resulted in a conviction for a DV crime. Finally, 40% of DV offenders were rearrested for a new misdemeanor or felony within five years of their first DV arrest, with 17% being arrested on new DV charges. Offender gender, age, and criminal history were significant predictors of recidivism.

Crime Victimization in Idaho: An Overview of Available Data
August 2022

This report and its companion data dashboard were developed in partnership with the Department of Criminal Justice at Boise State University (BSU) for their Idaho Victimization Clearinghouse website. BSU and ISAC sought to report on the status of victimization data in the state, as well as examine data regarding risk and protective factors that may impact victimization. The report includes an overview of existing data on victimization in Idaho, examines strengths and weaknesses of the data, and makes recommendations for improving the state’s knowledge of crime victimization.