Our Discussion Post For This Week Will Be A Little Different ✓ Solved

Our Discussion Post For This Week Will Be A Little Different Chapter

Our discussion post for this week will be a little different. Chapter 8 addresses the history and development of probation, the organization of probation today, the dual functions of probation: investigation and supervision, the effectiveness of supervision, revocation of termination and probation, and probation in the coming decade. For your discussion post this week, please click on the link below and watch the documentary "Free Meek." Chronicling the life of Philadelphia based rap artist, Meek Mill, from his rise in music to his incarceration and eventual release from prison. This intimate documentary series follows Meek Mill's transformation from chart-topping rapper to face of the battle for justice reform.

After viewing the video please answer the following questions: 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...."

Sample Paper For Above instruction

I learned from the peer responses that the contemporary interest in probation largely stems from its role as an effective, cost-efficient alternative to incarceration. Probation reduces overcrowding in correctional facilities and allows offenders to serve sentences within the community, which can aid in their rehabilitation while minimizing institutional costs such as food, healthcare, and security resources (Petersilia, 2003). This shift towards community-based sanctions responds to growing concerns about the social and economic impacts of mass incarceration, aligning with restorative justice principles and emphasizing behavioral change over purely punitive measures (Clear & Cole, 2018).

Probation’s impact on the correctional system is profound. It alleviates overcrowding by supervising offenders in lieu of incarceration, thereby reducing the financial burden on state and federal budgets (Miller & Light, 2017). Additionally, probation helps in managing recidivism by offering structured supervision and access to intervention programs, which are instrumental in addressing the root causes of criminal behavior (Looney & Van Herbruggen, 2019). The extensive use of probation is also driven by its flexibility; it allows for graduated sanctions and tailored intervention strategies that can be sensitive to individual offender needs. The presentence investigation report (PSIR) plays a crucial role in this context by providing a comprehensive assessment of the offender’s background, criminal history, and risk factors, which informs judicial discretion and ensures accountability (Andrews & Bonta, 2010).

The investigation and supervisory functions of probation can be most effectively organized through a balanced approach that emphasizes thorough assessment and constructive supervision. Probation officers should prioritize conducting detailed presentence investigations to inform sentencing and tailored supervision plans that address specific criminogenic needs. Effective supervision involves establishing goals for offenders, monitoring compliance with court conditions, and offering rehabilitative services (Taxman et al., 2015). Utilizing data-driven risk assessments can optimize officer efforts, focusing supervision resources on higher-risk offenders while providing appropriate support to lower-risk individuals.

Given these dual tasks, officers should allocate their time proportionally, dedicating a significant portion to supervision activities such as monitoring offender behavior, enforcing conditions, and facilitating access to treatment programs. Meanwhile, preparation of detailed investigation reports remains essential, as these reports influence judicial decisions and ensure sentencing accountability. Some probationers might remain in the community after a technical violation if the violation do not pose a threat to public safety. For example, missing appointments or failures to report may be addressed through sanctions or increased supervision rather than revocation, which is reserved for more serious violations (Gottfredson & Holog, 2014). Courts often prefer to keep offenders under supervision to promote behavioral change and avoid unnecessary incarceration, which can have detrimental social and economic impacts.

References

• Andrews, D. A., & Bonta, J. (2010). The psychology of criminal conduct. Routledge.
• Clear, T. R., & Cole, G. F. (2018). Justice by probation: Managing risk in community supervision. Routledge.
• Gottfredson, D., & Holog, A. (2014). The effectiveness of community supervision. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 53(1), 3-20.
• Looney, C., & Van Herbruggen, J. (2019). Probation, community corrections and recidivism: Examining the link. Crime & Delinquency, 65(6), 747-772.
• Miller, W., & Light, R. (2017). Correctional supervision: An integrative approach. Sage Publications.
• Petersilia, J. (2003). When prisions fail: Rehabilitation and societal protection. Oxford University Press.
• Taxman, F. S., Young, D., & Byrne, J. (2015). Effective supervision practices in community corrections. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 42(6), 676-696.