Probation Review

Probation Program Review

AJS - 595

April 15, 2013

Probation Program Review

More than five million people participate in the probation program each year across the United States as an alternative to serving jail time while many offenders choose jail time over probation (Layton, MacKenzie, 2013). Probation is the period a person is subject to examination or evaluation or trial period that must be completed before a person receives benefits or freedoms. This paper will explain probation, identify the problem probation was designed to resolve, the goals and participants of probation, and the data and collection methodologies used to evaluate probation.

History of Probation

John Augustus a shoemaker-philanthropist from Boston began bailing out and assuming the responsibility of offenders within the community during the years 1841 to 1859. John later became known as the founder of probation in the United States (Layton, MacKenzie, 2013). He would bail offenders out of jail after he or she was convicted of a crime, he assisted the offender obtain employment, and aiding the offender and family as needed depending on individual needs. The offenders were happy to get a second chance and were will willing to abide to the period of supervision in the community until released from the program by the presiding judge (Layton, MacKenzie, 2013).

Resolve Problems with Probation

Several problems occurred prior to current probation program regulations offenders faced harsh penalties for crimes committed, prisons were over crowded with non-violent offenders, and families were facing hardship with the soul provider serving time behind bars for misdemeanor types of crime. The major goal in the probation program is rehabilitation for offenders, to help him or her become a constructive member of the community instead of a destructive nuisance.

Probation Participants

Several key participants work in conjunction with state and federal guidelines to determine eligibility for probation. The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 replaced the Federal Probation Act by changing guidelines to federal judges. According to new guidelines a judge, can only order probation if the offender is sentenced to six or less months incarceration.

Key participants in probation include:

* Offender

* Type of criminal act committed

* Judicial legislative branch

* Prosecutor

* Judge

* Probation officers

The individual offender plays the largest role in the probation process because he or she is responsible for following the guidelines of the program and according to the orders of the court. Probation officers monitor and report the findings on each assigned probationer. These reports are filed with the court to determine if probation will continue or the probationer will be released from the program.

They community corrections officials are the main participate in the deciding role of whether a criminal is allowed a probation sentence. These officials make the decision and hand his or her recommendations to the court for the final decision.

Probation Process

The probation process depends on the type of supervision is required by the court. Depending on the type of crime offender or the crime committed, the type of supervision is determined by the court. These include serious measures of monitoring for violent crimes and less monitoring for non-violent crime (The Free Dictionary, 2013).

* Intensive probation, home detention, GPS monitoring, computer management - these types of probation monitoring are used for violent offenders, high ranking gang members, habitual offenders, and sexual offenders to ensure they are closing monitored.

* In Juvenile probation home detention and GPS, monitoring is commonly used as a method of supervision.

* Standard supervision- offenders are required to report to probation officer biweekly and serve any other conditions ordered by the court for example community service, drug classes, anger management and more.

* Unsupervised probation- this does not require direct involvement with a probation officer however the offender must following the terms and conditions ordered by the court.

* Informal supervision-