Why is there so much interest in probation today?
How does the use of probation affect the corrections system? Why is it used so extensively? How does the presentence investigation report affect accountability for the sentence that is imposed? How do you think investigation and supervisory functions of probation can be most effectively organized? Given the two major tasks of probation, how should officers spend their time? Why might some probationers be kept in the community after a technical violation rather than having their probation revoked?
When responding to a student’s post, be sure to use and address the following:
Authority
Community Justice
Judicial reprieve
Presentence Investigation
Punitive Conditions
Recidivism
Recognizance
Technical Violation
Victim Impact Statement
Your responses should reach beyond a simple “I agree with what you are saying.” Please use the following to begin your post:
“I learned from you that..”
“I appreciated how you explained….”
First peer’s response:
There is so much interest in probation today because it serves as a sentencing option and it is a cheaper option for the corrections system. The use of probation has an effect on the correction system because the correction system does not have to spend the money it takes to take care of inmates such as food and medical expenses. The reason why probation is used so extensively is because it reduces the overcrowding problem that correction systems have now. Probation also keeps offenders away from other inmates that may be at risk of committing more crime. The presentence investigation helps the judge select an appropriate sentence and it helps with treatment planning and the parole decisions if the offender is granted parole. Because there is not any guidelines for sentencing, the judge has the discretion to weigh each case differently and sentencing can vary. Investigation and supervisory functions of probation can be most effectively organized by probation officers making sure that they properly prepare their investigation for the judge and establish supervising conditions that the offender will have to follow in order to avoid going to back court for a probation violation.
Officers should spend their time preparing presentence investigation because it is their responsibility to make sure that the judge views the correct information to make a sentence. The other major task that the officers will spend their time doing is supervising the offender once they have been placed on probation. The officer will come up goals for the offender to meet that are aligned with the conditions that have been set by the court. If the goals are met, the officer will start to plan termination of the probation. A probationer will be kept in the community after a technical violation rather than having their probation revoked if the violation that occurred did not pose a threat to the community. Some examples of technical violations that could occur that do not pose a threat to the community is the offender failing to attend a therapy session, changing location without permission from the probation officer or court, failing to return to their residence before curfew, and failing to report for weekly meetings with their probation officer.
Second peer’s response:
There is so much in probation today because out of nowhere new ideas begin sprouting. It’s as if new models of probation are being discovered and advanced. It affects the correction system in a very good way by saving money and it works well for the offender because they actually get better. Its used so extensively because its respected by political leaders as well as a few citizens.
It helps the court decide on an appropriate sentence. Thereafter, if a defendant is incarcerated, the Bureau of Prisons or State Department of Corrections will use information in the report to designate the institution where the offender will serve the sentence and determine the offender’s eligibility or need for specific correctional programs.
The investigation and supervisory functions of pro