Community corrections alternatives such as probation and parole are the best ways for minor offenders to be rehabilitated and reintegrated back into the community. While some might argue that people who commit crimes deserve to be put behind bars, it is worth considering the level of crime committed and the conditions surrounding the offender at the time of the crime. The corrections systems’ factions of parole and probation are instituted to serve justice to people who have been wronged but, at the same time, correct the behaviors of crime offenders through rehabilitation. As stated in the Bible (American Bible Society), in the book of 1 st Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." People experience temptations that lead them to commit crimes. Still, it is our sole responsibility as a society to rectify the wrongdoers through judicial reforms of parole and probation, so that they can change their ways and once again become responsible members of the community.
History and development of probation and parole in the correctional system.
The history of probation and parole dates back to early England in the 1800s (Ahlin et al., 2013). At the time, English law allowed criminal offenders to request a brief suspension of their sentences. After careful consideration from judges, the offenders whose sentences were suspended were required to display good behavior and abstain from breaking the law during that extended period. Only those that proved they could abide by the laws gained eligibility to apply for a pardon only granted by the Crown (Ahlin et al., 2013). This system was later adopted and modified by American courts and came to be known as "judicial reprieve." Those who proved that they could lead lives as per the law gained a certain level of leniency in their jail terms. However, those who broke the law suffered punishment for both the original and new crimes committed (Ahlin et al., 2013).
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Reasons for probation and goals achieved throughout the process
There are four reasons why probation was instituted in the judicial system with respect to criminal offenders. First and foremost, probation is carried out to ensure that offenders do not participate in any further criminal behavior (s). Through around-the-clock supervision from probation officers, probation ensures that criminal offenders lack the two proved precursors to crime; opportunity and proclivity ( Schaefer et al., 2017). By removing the environment that predisposes individuals to commit a crime, probation teaches offenders constructive ways to spend their time. Secondly, probation provides offenders with the opportunity to atone for their crimes through community service and other volunteer programs. Thirdly, probation acts as a means to provide justice to crime victims. Through probation, offenders are taken off the street, and these move helps to promote public safety (Schaefer et al., 2017). Lastly, probation presents offenders with life-changing experiences and programs to help them in their rehabilitation process. By taking part in training programs such as cognitive skills classes, offenders are challenged to change their way of thinking to reduce the possibility of them committing crimes in the future (Schaefer et al., 2017).
Types of parole and conditions assigned to offenders
On condition that offenders conduct themselves on good behavior, correctional institutions offer early releases to worthy inmates. There are various forms of parole that parole boards allocate to criminal offenders. Temporary absence is a form of parole granted to minor offenders serving small sentences. This type of parole is only given to individuals on condition that they attend counseling from a state recommended counselor and that they take part in an activity that shows service to the community. Day parole is another form of parole that is granted to inmates to help ascertain if they are worthy of full parole. This type of parole requires offenders to participate in community service during the day and return to their correctional institutions before nightfall. Full parole is granted to individuals who have served a third of their sentences, except for people serving life sentences. The condition of this form of parole is community service, with supervision from a parole officer who comes up with a full report presented to the Parole Board.
Collaboration and accountability measures taken to ensure proper execution of probation and parole programs
Several steps need to be taken to ensure the success of probation and parole programs. Studies have indicated that individuals with a motivation to commit crime are likely to commit offenses when presented with crime opportunities (Schaefer et al., 2017). For proper execution of probation and parole, parole officers need to be adequately trained to be able to handle and supervise criminal offenders adequately. Secondly, parole officers should be provided with enough resources to help them to carry out the correctional programs effectively. Lastly, parole boards, in collaboration with correctional institutions and parole officers, can ensure that inmates are adequately educated on the importance of following parole guidelines. They should also be educated on the consequences of breaking parole. These measures, when followed accordingly, will deliver the success of the correctional programs such as parole and probation.
In conclusion, the number of incarcerated persons and the costs of running correctional institutions continues to rise day by day. There is, therefore, the need to look to other alternatives to incarceration. However, many people have argued that probation and parole do not provide encouraging results. It is therefore imperative that the government, in partnership with parole boards, come up with more effective and feasible directives to ensure that parole and probation programs are of benefit to both criminal offenders and the community at large.
References
Ahlin, E. M., Antunes, M. J. L., & Tubman-Carbone, H. (2013). A review of probation home visits: What do we know? Fed. Probation , 77 , 32.
American Bible Society. (n.d.). New Testament, King James Version . New Testament, King James Version . New York.
Schaefer, L., Cullen, F. T., & Manchak, S. M. (2017). The role of place in probation and parole. In Unravelling the Crime-Place Connection, Volume 22 (pp. 191-215). Routledge.
