CJ Module 8

What is Community Corrections?

essentially an alternative to incarceration.

Probation:

Alternative to incarceration whereas the individual remains out of jail or prison and in the community. They are subject to conditions and supervision of the probation authority.

 Parole:

Early release from prison, with conditions attached and under the supervision of a parole agency.

Discretionary

Early release based on the paroling authority’s assessment of eligibility (i.e., the parole board). Inmates released through the parole board will typically be required to follow individualized or special conditions. This release is being used less in Louisiana and across the US. Some states have abolished their parole boards in favor of discretionary release.

Mandatory (good time)

Early release after a period specified by law (i.e., release on good time). A deciding body, such as the parole board, does not decide whether the inmate should be released or not; they are simply released. Inmates released typically don’t receive individualized or special parole conditions; they merely have to follow the general conditions set by their state. It is the most common form of parole release today.

Why Alternatives to Incarceration? Cost

If we were to sentence everyone on probation to prison instead, it would be unsustainable.

The average cost of incarcerating an inmate = $31,000; the average price of community corrections = $2,000.

Why Alternatives to Incarceration? Rehabilitation

Offenders remain in the community, which has a greater rehabilitative effect than prison. More ties to family, employment, and other social networks. More access to treatment and counseling options

Intermediate Sanctions:

Between Community Supervision and Custody. Form of punishment between freedom and prison.

Intensive Supervision Probation and Parole: Goals

To conserve scarce prison space and money that would otherwise be spent on incarceration; and to keep offenders from committing crimes in the community while they are involved in the program. While imposing an "intermediate" punishment less severe than prison, but more severe than routine probation.

Intensive Supervision Probation and Parole: Success

No impact on recidivism rates

House Arrest

Individual is restricted to their home. Usually monitored electronically. Only effective when combined with other supervision and treatment.

Shock Probation and Incarceration

Individual is confined to jail or prison for a short time. It’s hoped that the short stay will deter future criminal activity. More research needed to verify effectiveness.

Boot Camps

Short institutional sentence aimed at young, nonviolent offendersEvaluations show that boot camps alone have no impact on recidivism. However, new studies show that when boot camps are combined with vocational training, treatment, and other rehabilitative services, boot camps are better than regular incarceration.

Elements needed for effective  alternatives to incarceration

Must incapacitate enough so that it is possible to interfere with their lives and activities to make committing a new offense extremely difficult. It must be unpleasant enough to deter offenders from wanting to commit new crimes. It must provide real and credible protection for the community. Nearly a 1/3 third who exit probation or parole annually fail to successfully complete their supervision for a wide range of reasons, such as committing new crimes, violating the rules, and absconding.

Probation and parole success is measured by recidivism:

whether a probationer or parolee violates their supervision and/or is rearrested.

Probationers

Within three years, 43% of state felons on probation were rearrested for a felony. Probationers tend to fare better than parolees.

Parolers

In 2000, less than half of parolees completed their supervision successfully. 2 out of 3 (67%) parolees are rearrested within 3 years after release.

Two things worth noting for parolees

When someone is on parole, it’s highly likely they previously violated probation first and then were incarcerated. (Remember: most people are sentenced to probation.).

 An individual’s past failures on community supervision can usually predict their future success on probation and parole. A first-time probationer or parolee is more likely to succeed than a probationer or parolee who has a history of probation and parole revocations.

What do Community Corrections Officers Do? Supervision

The central role of a P&P officer is to supervise probationers and parolees. Supervision is essentially the same for both populations; however, officers should be attentive to special conditions, such as restitution (the requirement to repay a victim financially) and other requirements such as attending substance abuse classes, sex offender treatment, and mental health counseling. Officer caseloads tend to average around 130, but it’s not uncommon for officers to have caseloads up to 150.

What do Community Corrections Officers Do? Investigation

Probation officers are sometimes required to complete Presentence Investigations to assist the court with sentencing, and Pre-Parole Investigations to assist parole boards with their release decisions. Both reports are similar: they provide information on the individual’s criminal history, risk level, and past performance under correctional supervision (if applicable). Officers are also expected to interview victims, law enforcement, and others for their input on appropriate sentence or whether the individual should be released on parole.

Risk:

Match the level of service to the offender's risk to re-offend.

Responsivity:

Tailoring the intervention to the learning style, motivation, abilities and strengths of the offender

Needs:

Assess criminogenic needs and target them in treatment.

Risk and needs are usually determined by

a validated risk-needs assessment.

A good risk/needs assessment will provide us with a risk score,

and that risk score will generate supervision level.

An individual’s supervision level determines how often a P&P must contact them. An example would be: Low

One office visit each quarter

An individual’s supervision level determines how often a P&P must contact them. An example would be: Medium

A personal contact or office visit each month

MediumAn individual’s supervision level determines how often a P&P must contact them. An example would be: High

Two personal contacts a month

Technical Violations:

Minor violations, such as: drug use, missing appointments, violating curfew, not obtaining employment

Absconding:

Essentially “escaping” probation/parole supervision. When an individual can’t be found by their officer. Usually results in an arrest warrant.

Substantive Violation:

When an individual is arrested for a new charge while under supervision. Felonies are treated more severely than misdemeanors. Individuals are usually detained by their officer until the charges are resolved, and if they are convicted on the new offense, their supervision will also be revoked.

Administrative Sanctions:

Usually for technical violations. Can include: warnings, treatment requirements, curfews, house arrest, and short jail stays

Revocation hearing:

A hearing to determine whether probation or parole will be revoked. If probation, the sentencing judge will decide. If parole, it will be up to the parole board.

(IMPORTANT: Probationer’s violations are dealt with by the sentencing judge/court;

Parolees must answer to the Parole Board)

Technical Violation:

In probation or parole when one violates certain conditions that must be obeyed to remain out of prison, such as violating curfew, using drugs or alcohol, or not maintaining a job. 

Substantive Violation:

An allegation that one was arrested for a new criminal offense while serving probation. 

Shock Probation/Parole:

A situation in which individuals are sentenced to jail or prison for a brief period to give them a taste of the shock of incarceration, and it is hoped that this will turn them into more law-abiding citizens. 

Revocation:

The courts revoke probation or parole status for the purpose of returning an offender to prison, usually for not following the conditions of probation or parole, or for committing a new offense. 

Restorative Justice:

The view that crime affects the entire community, which must be healed and made whole again through the offender's remorse, community services, restitution to the victim, and other such activities. 

Probation Officer:

one who supervises the activities of persons on probation. 

Probation:

an alternative to incarceration in which the convict remains out of jail or prison and in the community and thus on the job, with family, and so on, while subject to conditions and supervision of the probation authority. 

Parole Officer:

one who supervises those who are on parole. 

Intermediate Sanctions:

A scheme whereby one is sentenced for a flexible period so as to be released when rehabilitated or when the opportunity for rehabilitation is presented. 

Intensive Supervision Probation and Parole:

Post-release supervision that usually includes much closer and stricter supervision, more contact with offenders, more frequent drug tests, and other such measures. 

Home arrest/ home confinement:

detention of offenders in their own homes, compliance is often monitored electronically. 

Halfway House:

A community center or home staffed by professionals or volunteers designed to provide counseling to ex-prisoners as they transfer from prison to the community. 

Electronic Monitoring:

The use of electronic devices (bracelets or anklets) to emit signals when a convicted offender, usually on house arrest, leaves the designated area where they are to remain. 

Day Reporting Center:

A structured corrections program requiring offenders to check in at a community site on a regular basis for supervision, sanctions, and services. 

Community Corrections:

Probation, parole, and a variety of other measures that offer convicted offenders an alternative to incarceration. 

Caseload:

the number of cases awaiting disposition by a court, or the number of active cases or clients maintained by a probation or parole officer. 

Boot Camp:

A short-term jail or prison program that puts offenders through rigorous programs and mental regimen designed to instill discipline and respect for authority. 

Alternatives to Incarceration:

A sentence imposed by a judge other than incarceration, such as probation, parole, shock probation, or house arrest.