PROBATION WORKS FOR INMATES

Probation works for inmates that are being release from incarceration



Probation works for inmates that are being release from incarceration

Probation is technically defined as a period of supervision instead of confinement. In 2002, approximately 6.7 million people - that is 1 in every 32 adults, or 3.1% of the population - were in the American corrections system; either incarcerated, on probation, or on parole. Of those 6.7 million people, about 2 million were incarcerated in prisons or jails and about 4.7 million were on probation or parole. That is, almost three quarters of Americans in the corrections system are on probation or parole. So probation and parole supervision of criminal offenders in the community is a huge and critical part of our corrections systems. I will refer to both probation and parole as community supervision.

It is impossible to incarcerate all criminal offenders; keeping someone in prison is very expensive - it costs approximately $22,000 a year - and prisons are already filled beyond capacity. Also, we simply don't need to incarcerate everyone. And we must bear in mind that even of those incarcerated, almost all will return to society. We must prepare them for that return.

What are the goals of community supervision?

Protect public safety

Hold criminal offenders accountable to victims and the community and repair the damage they have done by:a. having offenders pay restitution and finesb. or having offenders perform community service.

Ensure offenders get drug and alcohol treatment and any other mental health counseling necessary to overcome problems, which contributed to the offender committing crime.

How are these goals accomplished?

An offender released to the community on probation or parole is subject to conditions. There are standard conditions that apply to everyone. Additionally, each offender is evaluated and subject to special conditions that fit his or her individual needs or problems. All of these conditions form a contract between the offender, the court (probationer), and the parole board (parolee). If an offender will not sign the contract, the court will incarcerate the probationer or the parole board will not release the inmate.

In making these conditions, the officer includes in the probationer's supervision program items to address both needs and risks. Needs of the offender may be addressed by mental health counseling, alcoholics anonymous meetings, marital counseling, drug abuse programs, work preparation training, housing assistance, reality counseling, controls over associations or locations, or any other program, training, or controls to assist the probationer to become an improved citizen. Risks are addressed by the frequency and type of supervision and inspection by the officer or others and by drug or alcohol testing or other constraints or controls to minimize the likelihood of new offenses, and to enforce the probation conditions.

The conditions imposed should be attainable. The standard conditions are within the ability of everyone to follow and any special conditions should be based on a sound rationale, and be possible for the probationer to comply with.

Additional individualized special conditions must be carefully worded so that the Court or parole ...