OFFENDERS ON PROBATION

Offenders on Probation



Q.How would you strike a balance between treatment and control as it relates to the supervision of offenders placed on probation? Some argue that the focus on treatment jeopardizes public safety.

Ans.Probation means a correctional system under which offenders are supervised in the community instead of being imprisoned or monitored in the said community after having served part of their sentence. The theory behind it comes from a very old tradition of Anglo-American courts to stay the trial in some cases and offer a second chance for offenders. Probation is one of the terms of the sentence the judge may impose on the perpetrator of crimes falling within certain categories.

There are several treatments made for these offenders who are in probation. These people are recommended to follow a course of treatment or accept counseling for mental health or social attitude. Although the authorities concerned with the legal and sociological aspects of law enforcement agree that for most offenders, probation is a method of rehabilitation and is much more efficient and less costly than incarceration, relatively few countries to adhere principles upon which its success: careful selection of cases, stayed the conviction of offenders selected supervision by competent staff and inmate's release on probation at the end of the probationary period in case of unsatisfactory conduct or revocation of probation in the case otherwise (Bonta & Scott, 2008).

The probation officer as part of the Central Regional team provides: an alternative to court action, alternatives to incarceration, assists in reintegrating offenders into the community and develops opportunities for community involvement in community corrections and crime prevention. The probation officer manages offenders with the appropriate degree of control, supervision and support and by providing appropriate programs, services and encouragement to assist offenders to deal with those issues which brought them into conflict with the law. The probation officer participates as a team member in the planning, implementation and evaluation of all the services delivered by the unit and contributes to the program initiatives by strategy development, support of justice committees and Honorary Probation Officer functional assignments.

Supervised probation

Supervised probation is for offenders who need closer supervision usually for 2 years. In addition to the conditions of the court of the United States, the offender must meet with a probation officer. The schedule location and number of times that will be reported to the department of corrections shall be determined by the classification of supervision that the parole officer determined. There are regular reviews of the classification, requirements and reporting frequency to be adjusted as necessary. The probation officer works with the offender, treatment agencies and other parties involved in it to provide constant controlled intervention under the obligations of the court. The questions regarding compliance or failure to comply by the offender is brought to the attention by the judge who imposed the sentence (Bonta & Scott, 2008).

Informal supervision

The informal supervision is for offenders with less serious cases and those who are progressing well and directly to their assigned treatment ...