Best practices: Probation and Parole

Best practices: Probation and Parole

Introduction

The effectiveness of the probation and parole policies is under the judgment of the general public and the professionals. This aspect has not been able to establish and clearly articulate the true public value being transmitted (Paparozzi & Demichele, 2008). With clear articulation and proper development of such practices will lead to sound implementation of political faddism. Probation and parole allow the criminals in allowing prison and helps in rehabilitation for getting back into the society and minimize the likelihood of committing the crime or offense. The following paper discusses the concept in broader terms and how it contributes to the effectiveness of the system as a whole and correcting the behaviors of the offenders.

Discussion

Probation

An offender may be granted with probation instead of being sent to the jail. Probation is generally granted when the seriousness of the criminal offense suggests that the criminal/probationer is not a potential threat to the community and sending them to the jail is not appropriate (Thigpen et al, n.d). The probationer is allowed to live freely in the society abiding by a few conditions as specified by the court, and report the actions to the officer in charge. The conditions of probation include living at the place where directed to, participating in several rehabilitation activities, coming up for continuous tests of drug and alcohol examinations and trying to achieve a stability in employment (Thigpen et al, n.d). The Court must be presented with a proof of complying with all the conditions related to the practice. If the offender is failed in complying with the conditions of probation, then this may be revoked and then the offender has the chance of being sentenced to jail (Thigpen et al, n.d).

Parole

Parole is granted after a certain period has been served in the prison. This is different to probation in which the criminal may be offered to parole after spending punishment time for a certain period. Here, again the parolee has to be abiding by the rules and conditions of the parole time like staying within the country, meeting the officer, submitting to tests and providing proof of employment. In case of not meeting the conditions of the parole, the parolee may be re-imprisoned (Thigpen et al, n.d).

Parole Eligibility

States mostly limit parole to certain crimes and the prisoners who have served sentence in the jail. For example, those who have been left guilty for murder, rape, drug trafficking, kidnapping etc. are not eligible for being put on parole (Thigpen et al, n.d). The parole board carefully considers the personal characteristics of the offender including age, mental stability etc. Parole is not granted for good behavior only during imprisonment. The parole considers the severity of the crime, sentence served and why the crime was committed (Thigpen et al, n.d). Also, the board considers the possibility of the offender trying to establish a healthy life with personal residence and gaining employment. Then, parole shall be granted if there are no possible ...