Compare And Contrast Probation And Parole

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In the United States, probation and parole are offender privileges and are not guaranteed rights. Both practices provide offenders with the opportunity to be present in the community so long as they abide by specific conditions. Providing alternatives to incarceration has shown to be effective in reducing recidivism rates and serves as an incentive for offenders to modify their behaviors in hopes of maintaining their freedom. Today, probation is the most widely used correctional practices as it allows an offender to avoid incarceration while being required to abide by a set of particular condition while under supervision. However, if an offender violates the terms of their probation, probation may be revoked and a harsher sentence may be imposed (Buddress, 1997). John Augustus, who is known as “The Father of Probation,” introduced the concept of probation originally as a volunteer position (Lindner & Savarese, 1984). Initially a boot-maker, Augustus began the practice of voluntary probation in 1841. Volunteers developed and transformed probation into an accepted practice as they remained active in the courts and provided assistance through …show more content…

As Buddress (1997) acknowledged, when the United Stated began to implement deterrent-oriented approaches to punishment in the 1970s, the incarceration rates drastically increased. Therefore, incarceration proved to be an ineffective attempt at reducing recidivism and was not cost-effective. Probation allows for offenders to remain in the community and to be contributing members in society, making it the cheapest alternative. While avoiding the negative effects of imprisonment, offenders still remain under supervision and are required to abide by a particular set of conditions that are meant to modify the offenders’ criminal

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