Abstract This paper examines how probation and parole are two ways of dealing with an offender without keeping him or her in prison. When an offender is let out on parole, then he or she is being released from prison before his or her full sentence has been carried out. Probation is a program that was offered as an alternative to imprisoning an offender. It examines the probation and parole programs and offers a personal opinion of their efficiency and relevancy in the criminal justice system.
From the Paper "Robert James Bidinotto (1994) considers parole and probation to be extensions of the prison program in an excuse-making effort to free up overcrowded prisons. Bidinotto (1994) also believes that parole and probation do not work as alternatives to prison sentences and that there were many unnecessary, repeat crimes by offenders that would have not occurred had the offender been locked away. The prison guards and other prison employees favor probation and parole because it helps to relieve them from the responsibilities of having to watch more prisoners and also reduces the likelihood of injuries to jail and prison employees. Prison employees and court judges would rather see innocent civilians hurt rather than increase the risk of prison riots and injuries within the jails."
This paper discusses that both parole and probation encompass the re-integration of convicted criminals within their communities in a supervised, controlled, and humane manner.
Abstract This paper discusses that promoting parole and probation over incarceration is cost-effective and reduces taxpayer responsibility for funding prisons. The author points out that criminals who are offered parole or probation are placed into the care of outside agencies, which are often volunteer-based or privatized. The paper concludes that integration into the community places the focus of criminal justice issues back to the root causes of poverty, poor schooling, and other issues that jails simply do not address.
From the Paper "Moreover, parole and probation are humanitarian approaches to criminal justice, which often serves only to dehumanize offenders. Parole and probation both address crime as a community-based social issue and encourages the partnership of law enforcement agencies, faith-based organizations, and social service providers. Because human beings are capable of change, parole and probation encourage a realistic, humane outlook on the part of law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and the population at large. The American Probation and Parole Organization's official position on probation is that human beings are capable of change; moreover, probation as a sentence offers due process of law for the offenders at the same time as it protects society and victims from harm."
Abstract This paper identifies and elaborates on the various alternatives to traditional methods of probation and parole. In many cases, probation and parole in the United States simply do not work, or do not apply to all offenders and, instead, they add to the problem of recidivism in the nation's prisons. The criminal justice system needs to find alternatives to traditional methods of parole and probation to combat the overcrowding of the system, as well as the problems with maintaining control of parolees and probationers.
From the Paper "First, the nation must create better, more meaningful educational opportunities for young minorities, to keep them in school rather than on the streets, and more drug and addiction counseling so that those criminals who are addicts can lead more meaningful lives away from crime and addiction. It is clear the criminal justice system needs to evolve into something that is more viable and more serviceable to the people in the system, and the first way is to keep people out of the system in the first place."
Abstract Probation and parole programs are highly criticized in modern society. Are they just excuses for lowering prison populations or do they actually work in rehabilitating offenders? This paper looks into the ethics of probation and parole programs and offers some critique of the programs.
From the Paper "Today's criminal justice system is supposedly the best that America has ever had. However, there are always ethical issues in dealing with those among us who have the urges to commit crime. Probation and parole are two ways of dealing with an offender without keeping him or her in prison. When an offender is let out on parole, then he or she is being released from prison before his or her full sentence has been carried out. Probation is a program that was made as an alternative to imprisoning an offender. This paper will examine the probation and parole programs and offer a personal opinion of their efficiency and relevancy in the criminal justice system."
Abstract In this article the writer examines the case of Thomas User, a drug user who has twice violated the terms of his probation by relapsing into drug use. The paper argues against incarceration but suggests that, because Mr. User cannot be trusted to monitor himself, he should be placed in a half-way house environment where he can receive supervision from others. Beyond that, the writer discusses that this environment will control who Mr. User sees, will make sure that he attends his counseling for his substance abuse problem, and will allow him to receive around-the-clock support from skilled professionals.
From the Paper "Supervision in Probation and Parole: the case of Thomas User. Regrettably, narcotics use and narcotics distribution has become a very pervasive problem in our contemporary society. The following paper will examine the case of a man who became entwined in the narcotics web and who compounded his difficulties by breaching the terms of his probation. The following paper will argue that the best way of dealing with the matter is to tighten up the conditions of Thomas User's probation via adding more conditions to his probation. Among these, it may be advisable for the Probation Officer to place Thomas in a half-way home where he can be carefully monitored and where his whereabouts will be constantly known to professional staff trained to help men like him overcome their problems with substance abuse. With this in mind, it is to a discussion of Thomas that this paper now turns."
Abstract This paper addresses two issues in criminal justice--how to reshape the system of parole and probation to save money and achieve more, and what to do about the growing problem of juvenile crime, which is occurring at a higher and higher level of violence.
Abstract The paper states that the origin of probation dates back to the Middle Ages when harsh penalties for even menial crimes were commonplace. The paper comments that today, it's evolved into a tool that the court system can utilize in place of either an entire or a partial prison sentence. This paper explores the history of probation, as well as provides examples of current day probation practices. In addition, the effectiveness of probation is explored.
Outline:
Introduction
History of Probation:
Examples of Probation The Effectiveness of Probation
From the Paper "Many new alternatives to punishments were devised. These included: the purchase of royal pardons, judges having the ability to refrain from applying statutes or form a lenient interpretation, stolen property could be devalued to create a lesser crime, and the clergy, judicial reprieve, sanctuary, and abjuration gave offenders a degree of protection from the previously harsh sentences. In addition, the practice of 'binding over for good behavior' was enacted, as a temporary release so offenders could take measures to secure pardons or lesser sentences. At this time, also some courts began to suspend some offender's sentences . Across the Atlantic, different judicial practices were being implemented."
Tags: court, sanctions, judicial, system, probation, system
Abstract This paper presents a review of probation administration in the United States, looking at probation as a form of criminal sentencing and its history. The paper looks at criticisms and positive attributes of the probation system of punishment.
From the Paper "Probation is the most common form of criminal sentencing in the United States. It is generally defined as a court-ordered disposition alternative through which a convicted offender is placed under the supervision and control of a probation officer ..."
Abstract This paper discusses, in California, who decides if a prisoner is eligible for parole. The author investigates how the parolee is handled before and after release. The paper suggests what can be done to improve the system.
From the Paper "Currently, the Board of Prison Terms (BPT) in California is the adult parole board and conducts parole hearings for all inmates sentenced to life terms with the possibility for parole but all sets terms and conditions of parole for all persons released on parole in California. The BPT consists of nine Commissioners appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate who serve four-year terms which are staggered. The Commissioners work full-time in their positions as BPT members and travel throughout California to conduct parole hearings at different ..."
Tags:parole, reinstegration, recidivism, revoking parole
Abstract The paper offers a personal perspective on the future of corrections in the United States, overviews the major problems in the current system and presents a series of recommended specific actions to resolve these major problems. The paper assesses the future trends and innovations in privatization, parole and probation, community corrections, dealing with increasing numbers of juvenile and female offenders as well as coping with overcrowded jails and prisons. The paper also provides an analysis of innovations used in foreign countries and asserts that the United States should take such steps today before it dooms yet another generation of Americans to life behind bars.
Outline:
Review and Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "On the one hand, the future of the corrections industry in the United States is very bright indeed and all signs indicate this will continue to be a growth industry well into the 21st century. On the other hand, the fact that the corrections industry is a growth industry is a very troubling sign that all is not well in America and there is no consensus on how best to reverse these ugly trends. After the prison population in the United States topped two million, Hunt (20070 observed, "Not only was this exponential increase in incarceration unusual, but research quickly revealed it to reflect the pernicious questions of race, class, and political disenfranchisement that have animated North American history" (p. 68)."
Abstract This paper discusses the vast array of uses of the Internet today, including using it to find general information, to access information, to correspond with people in distant places, to learn, to buy or sell, to obtain software, to make money or to share knowledge. The paper then discusses the use of the Internet by law enforcement and how it can assist in solving crimes, as well as for corrections, parole, and probation.
From the Paper "Since its initial use as a research program for a specific networking area in the 70s, the internet has evolved into something else more and more versatile and miraculous a tool for virtually all the sectors. It has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate its peerless value in commercial activity as a marketing tool after 1991. It has also proven beneficial in practically all human activity, such as the need for information, long-distance correspondence, obtaining software, employment, travel and exchange of knowledge. It is behind the knowledge explosion in the world today and has facilitated human endeavor in many ways. One area where it has also proven its worth is in law enforcement where it has been enabled law enforcement agencies obtain information and conduct its duties in ways much easier and convenient than before. Since the 90s, internet applications have been quite useful in tasks such as crime mapping, corrections, parole and probation, and in dealing with major events, emergencies and the protection and prevention of crime in communities."
Abstract This paper discusses a case where a career probation officer, Joan, must deal with a difficult situation regarding a high profile case that is coming up for review and which has generated a great deal of media interest, and the need to avoid negative publicity for the Collier County Probation Department . The problem Joan faces is that the media want an interview with her regarding the case but the Chief Probation Officer has also emphasized the importance of avoiding the media and not allowing anyone to speak with the media without supervisory approval. The paper addresses the following question: What should Joan's response to the reporter be other than hanging up or telling him to call back? In addressing the question, the paper analyzes Joan's response and whether it was the right one. The paper concludes in favor of Ms. Casey.
Table of Contents:
What Should Joan's Response to the Reporter be Other Than Hanging Up or Telling Him to Call Back?
If She Elects to Discuss Her Officer's Recommendation, What Should She Say to Justify It?
What Should the Chief Probation Officer Do Upon His Return to Work?
Was the Probation Officer's Recommendation Correct Based on these Facts?
Should a Policy Be Immediately Drafted for this Situation?
Should Any Personnel Actions Be Taken?
Conclusion
From the Paper "All police departments should have a policy in place for disclosing information to the media. Only the Police Chief or a person appointed by the Chief, such as a special employee designated to handle media relations, should be allowed to report information to the media. An official policy should be in writing and clearly state that no one other than the designated official should make any kind of statement to the news media. When allowed, media press releases should be scheduled ahead of time and follow protocol."
Tags: image, written policy, spokesperson, professional manner, respect
Abstract This paper examines battered women syndrome (BWS), women who serve indeterminate life sentences for killing a spouse or intimate partner that was abusing them. It provides a history of BWS, looks at the 'types' of batterings that lead to this syndrome such as physical and sexual and evaluates parole in the state of California by reviewing recent events. It analyzes various cases of women who are eligible for parole, but are not paroled. The paper leans toward the side of battered women who have served their sentences and should be granted parole.
From the Paper "There are many elements to Battered Women's Syndrome, which makes the definition of this phenomenon broad and complex. The predominant types of battering that lead to this syndrome are physical, sexual, and psychological battering (NVADV). Battering may include emotional abuse, economic abuse, sexual abuse, using children, threats, using male privilege, intimidation, isolation, and a variety of other behaviors used to maintain fear, intimidation and power. The California Board of Prison Terms defines BWS as a series of common characteristics that appear in women who are physically and/or psychologically abused, over an extended period of time, by a dominant male figure in their lives (BPT). In all cultures, the perpetrators are most commonly the men of the family."
This paper focuses on two specific juvenile rehabilitation and probation programs and the manner in which they treat and deal with minors convicted of crimes.
Abstract This paper delves into the similarities and differences in terms of services and treatments offered at the Lehigh County Juvenile Probation Department and the Cook County Juvenile Probation Department. This paper examines the manner in which both programs hold the convicted minors responsible for their actions. This paper discusses each program's style and method for developing and instilling positive life skills in which the minor in question is then able to become a productive member of society. This paper details the mission statement of each program and the manner in which these goals are obtained. The writer contends and explains why the current treatments and programs offered at both facilities need to be altered and improved upon to keep up with the constantly changing face of juvenile crimes in America.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Lehigh County Juvenile Probation Department
The Cook County Juvenile Probation Department
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "This juvenile probation department of Cook County, made up of the city of Chicago and its outlying metropolitan areas, is very similar to that of Lehigh County in many ways, especially in relation to aiming for a "balanced and restorative justice" and to hold offenders accountable for their illegal conduct which, it is hoped, will help them "to develop positive life skills to enable them to become productive members of the community." But unlike Lehigh County, Cook County, on its website, provides a mission statement consisting of the aim to recognize the welfare of all children and their families based on public safety; it also is committed to "providing the guidance, structure and services needed by every child under its supervision." Thus, both of these juvenile probation departments have very similar goals, namely, to protect society from repeat offenders while providing equal and fair justice to the offenders, due to their age and, at times, negative social positions."
