The Pros And Cons Of Parole

Parole is the early release of an inmate (convicted felon) sent to state prison with the goal of parole being reduction of recidivism (Champion, 2007. p. 391). During this period of re-integration, the parolee is required to comply with certain terms and conditions. Since the parole period is a test to determine if the paroled individual was ready to re-enter society, failure to comply with these terms and conditions can have serious consequences. What those consequences are, depends upon the type of violation that occurs and the decision of the parole officer and parole board.

When a person is released on parole, he is required to comply with all federal and state laws (Romans 13:1; Compare 1 Peter 2:13; Acts 25:11; Proverbs 8:15). The rules and regulations governing the conditions

of probation, parole and conditional release, (referred to as the White Book, 2014) spell out the terms of the contract between the Missouri Board of Corrections and the sentencing court. Accepted conditions of parole are:
• LAWS: Obeying all federal and state laws, municipal and county ordinances. Reporting all arrests to the parolees’ (PO) within 48 hours.
• TRAVEL: Obtaining advance permission from the parolees’ PO before leaving the state or the area of residence.
• RESIDENCY: Advance permission must be obtained from the PO prior to making any change in residency.
• EMPLOYMENT: Gainful employment must be maintained, unless engaged in a specific program approved by the parolees’ PO. Advance permission must be obtained from the parolees’ PO before quitting a job or program. In the event of termination of employment or a program the parolees’ PO must be notified within 48 hours.
• ASSOCIATION: Obtaining advance permission from the probationers’ PO before associating with any person convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, or with anyone currently under the supervision of the Division of Probation and Parole (DPP). The parolee assumes culpability for knowledge of their associations status
• DRUGS: Parolee will not have in their possession or use any controlled substance except as prescribed for them by a licensed medical practitioner. As a part of the probationers’ supervision, they will be expected to undergo urinalysis or other types of drug testing on a random basis.
• WEAPONS: (571.010 RSMo.) Parolee will not own, possess, purchase, receive, sell, or transport any firearms, ammunition or explosive device, or any dangerous weapon if they are on probation or parole for a felony charge or a misdemeanor involving firearms or explosives, or it is in violation of federal, state or municipal laws or ordinances.
• REPORTING/DIRECTIVES: Parolee will report as directed to their PO. I will abide by any directives given them by their PO.
• SUPERVISION STRATEGY: Parolee will enter and successfully complete any supervision strategy, and abide by all rules and program requirements, as directed by the Court, Board or the supervising Parole Officer.
• WAIVE EXTRADITION.

• REFRAIN from committing new offenses.

In addition to the general requirements, parolees may be subject to requirements specific to their offense (e.g., sex offenders) as required within their state.

When one or more of the conditions of parole are contravened, some action is usually taken to give consequences to the parolee; ergo, he/she could be brought before the parole board to decide on appropriate consequences. The Board can revoke a defendant’s parole and order the defendant returned to prison to finish his/her sentence. The Board can also elect to reinstate a defendant on parole, thus allowing him/her to continue on parole. A parolee who has contravened doesn’t have the option of a jury trial. Unlike probation, the cap on parole tends to follow the sentence. For example, if a defendant is sentenced to twenty five years in prison, then a defendant can be on and off parole for up to twenty five years. After the fall in Eden, humans are inclined to be hedonistic and take the path of least resistance (1 John 8-10); thus, “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed …” (NIV, John

3:19-20).
Under the rules that SCOTUS made in Morrissey v. Brewer, before a parolee can be sent back to jail or subject to other consequences of his parole violation, he has the right to "due process" of the law (1975). In a nutshell: (1) The parolee must get written notice of the claimed violations, (2) The parole board must disclose the evidence against the parolee, (3) Parolees must be afforded an opportunity to present witnesses and documentary evidence, (4) The parolee must be given the opportunity to confront his/her accusers and witnesses, unless it is decided by the presiding hearing officer that this would not be advantageous, and (5) the parole board must issue a written statement noting the evidence and reasons for revoking parole.
Parole violations need to be commensurated according to the harm caused; ergo, applying a needs perspective, measuring the effects on the victim, the community, and the rehabilitative needs of the offender. In Missouri, Jay Nixon signed some changes in sentencing into law which would reduce incarceration by increasing probation and parole for people convicted of certain drug offenses and lower-level C and D felonies. This measure will save the state $7.7 million to $16.6 million over five years while reducing the prison population by 245 to 677 inmates (St. Amand, 2011). In a contemporary world, probation and parole officers could be accurately referred to as brokers of service since they are expected to broker community services and monitor their clients' progress and activities in the community. When governmental agencies and community-based providers collaborate with each other, they can jointly provide a comprehensive and integrated array of services that could not be provided by a single agency (CJI, 2009). Entry to an orderly network of services and pro-social public contacts can notably strengthen an offender’s ability to overcome. In this framework, collaboration is a productive and advantageous instrument of social action and recidivism reduction.
In reflecting on the scriptures, God placed Israel under terms of probation and parole on many occasions for serious infractions. Criminal Justice is not outside the sphere of Christian thinking and in adhering to a Biblical Worldview; God created humans with the ability to declare verdicts and carry out judgments (Genesis 1-3). God synchronizes all activities, bringing them into harmony to engineer His ultimate outcome (Proverbs 16:9, 21:1). When humans in the area of law carry out justice, he or she uses their God given role.