Define probation and know its goals.
Probation is the conditional release of a convicted offender into the
community under the supervision of PO. Most probation programs are
designed to (1) protect the community by assisting judges in sentencing and
supervising offenders, (2) carry out sanctions imposed by the court, (3) help
offenders change,(4) support crime victims, and (5) coordinate and promote
the use of community resources.
Explain the reasons for using probation.
Probation is used for four reasons: (1) It permits offenders to remain in the
community for reintegration purposes, (2) it avoids institutionalization and the
stigma of incarceration, (3) it is less expensive than incarceration and more
humanitarian, and (4) it is appropriate for offenders whose crimes do not
necessarily merit incarceration.
Describe some of the characteristic of adults on probation.
Today federal, state, and local probation agencies supervise almost 3.7
million adult U.S. residents, with misdemeanor convictions accounting for 40
percent. Twenty-five percent of all probationers were women, ad 55 percent of
probationers were white.
Explain the different ways that probation is administered.
In 29 states, a state or local agency delivers adult probation services. In three
states, adult probation services are delivered exclusively through county or
multi county agencies in the executive branch. In eight states, the judicial
branch of government is responsible for adult probation services. In five
states, local agencies in the judicial branch deliver adult probation services.
And in five states, adult probation services are delivered through some
combination of state executive branch , local executive agencies, or local
agencies in either the judicial or the executive branch.
Describe the measures used to evaluate probation.
Corrections professionals urge evaluators to collect data on outcomes other
than recidivism, such as amount of restitution collected, number of offenders
employed, amounts of fines and fees collected, hours of community service,
number of treatment sessions completed, percentage of financial obligations
collected, rate of enrollment in school, number of days employed, education
attainment, and number of days drug free.
, Describe the investigation and supervision functions of probation officers.
Case investigation and client supervision are the two major roles of POs.
Investigation includes the preparation of a presentence report (PSR), which
the judge uses in sentencing an offender. Supervision includes the functions
of resource mediation, surveillance, and enforcement.
Explain revocation hearings.
A revocation hearing is a due process hearing that must be conducted to
determine whether the conditions of probation have been violated before
probation can be revoked and the offender is removed from the community.
Probation can be revoked when offenders fail to comply with the technical
conditions of probation or commit new crimes.
Probation
The conditional release of a convicted offender into the community, under the
supervision of a probation officer. It is conditional because it can be revoked if
certain conditions are not met.
Recidivism
The repetition of criminal behavior, generally defined as rearrest. It is the
primary outcome measure for probation as it is for all corrections programs.
earned discharge
A probation reform measure that allows probationers to earn time off for
complying with the conditions of their sentences.
Case investigation
The first major role of probation officers, consisting of interviewing the
defendant and preparing the presentence report (PSR).
Supervision
The second major role of probation officers, consisting of resource mediation,
surveillance, and enforcement.
Probation is the conditional release of a convicted offender into the
community under the supervision of PO. Most probation programs are
designed to (1) protect the community by assisting judges in sentencing and
supervising offenders, (2) carry out sanctions imposed by the court, (3) help
offenders change,(4) support crime victims, and (5) coordinate and promote
the use of community resources.
Explain the reasons for using probation.
Probation is used for four reasons: (1) It permits offenders to remain in the
community for reintegration purposes, (2) it avoids institutionalization and the
stigma of incarceration, (3) it is less expensive than incarceration and more
humanitarian, and (4) it is appropriate for offenders whose crimes do not
necessarily merit incarceration.
Describe some of the characteristic of adults on probation.
Today federal, state, and local probation agencies supervise almost 3.7
million adult U.S. residents, with misdemeanor convictions accounting for 40
percent. Twenty-five percent of all probationers were women, ad 55 percent of
probationers were white.
Explain the different ways that probation is administered.
In 29 states, a state or local agency delivers adult probation services. In three
states, adult probation services are delivered exclusively through county or
multi county agencies in the executive branch. In eight states, the judicial
branch of government is responsible for adult probation services. In five
states, local agencies in the judicial branch deliver adult probation services.
And in five states, adult probation services are delivered through some
combination of state executive branch , local executive agencies, or local
agencies in either the judicial or the executive branch.
Describe the measures used to evaluate probation.
Corrections professionals urge evaluators to collect data on outcomes other
than recidivism, such as amount of restitution collected, number of offenders
employed, amounts of fines and fees collected, hours of community service,
number of treatment sessions completed, percentage of financial obligations
collected, rate of enrollment in school, number of days employed, education
attainment, and number of days drug free.
, Describe the investigation and supervision functions of probation officers.
Case investigation and client supervision are the two major roles of POs.
Investigation includes the preparation of a presentence report (PSR), which
the judge uses in sentencing an offender. Supervision includes the functions
of resource mediation, surveillance, and enforcement.
Explain revocation hearings.
A revocation hearing is a due process hearing that must be conducted to
determine whether the conditions of probation have been violated before
probation can be revoked and the offender is removed from the community.
Probation can be revoked when offenders fail to comply with the technical
conditions of probation or commit new crimes.
Probation
The conditional release of a convicted offender into the community, under the
supervision of a probation officer. It is conditional because it can be revoked if
certain conditions are not met.
Recidivism
The repetition of criminal behavior, generally defined as rearrest. It is the
primary outcome measure for probation as it is for all corrections programs.
earned discharge
A probation reform measure that allows probationers to earn time off for
complying with the conditions of their sentences.
Case investigation
The first major role of probation officers, consisting of interviewing the
defendant and preparing the presentence report (PSR).
Supervision
The second major role of probation officers, consisting of resource mediation,
surveillance, and enforcement.
