Advantages of Probation and Prison system - Assignment Example

Criminal justice Question one Probation is the prison sentence that is usually suspended. This applies in sums s where it is a form of community sentencing. However, in other cases, probation may include the supervision of individuals that are released from prison on condition. An offender who is on probation is required to follow certain set rules and regulations that the court has set (Schmalleger 12). This often applies when there is a probation officer. At this time, an individual may risk being sent back to prison in the case that they fail to break the set rules and regulation. It is traced back in Boston in the 1700s when the prisoners were taken home by john Augustus as an alternative to the issue of incarceration. Later on, Massachusetts authorized Boston to hire a probation officer. By the end of ninetieth century, probation was widely practiced all over the world. Question two Parole refers to the temporary or permanent release of a certain prisoner before completion of their prison sentences once they promise to be of good behavior. There are various differences between parole and probation. First of all probation is that form of criminal sentence without having to serve time. The offender remains in the setting of a community instead of serving time in prison. On the other hand, parole is an early supervised release from jail. An individual serves jail time for a while and before their jail time is over, they are released either permanently or temporary if they promise to be of good behavior. Question three Advantages of probation It allows high level of flexibility in the handling of various criminal offenders. It permits the judges to make decisions about the ability of an individual to function in a society. It is also a system where an individual is given a second chance to change and allows individuals to redeem themselves. Disadvantages of probation It still represents an incursion that the state undertakes on individuals. The system has also been criticized too many people on it thus being seen as detrimental to societies and individuals. It also criticized to give prisoners freedom when they should be in jail. Advantages of parole It provides fresh opportunity for jailed individuals to redeem themselves. It reduces the number of people in prisons thus saving tax payers money. It is also leads to a free and democratic society. Disadvantages of parole Parolee might repeat the offenses he was incarcerated for. Inability of the parolee to survive due to lack of employment or a home. It also requires frequently involvement by the criminal justice for a period of time. Question four One case that impacted on probation and parole was a case of Gagnon V. Scarpelli in 1973. He was serving a probation sentence for armed robbery in the state of Wisconsin. He had been sentenced to 15 years in prison though it was later suspended to a seven years probation term. After the commencement of the probation, he was caught again for burglary in the state of Illinois. Thus, his probation was revoked. Question five There were various criminal punishments that were used before the commencement of imprisonment sanction. One of them included ex-communication, ridicule; there were also punishments of death penalty depending with the extent of the crime committed. In other instances, individuals had to pay fines to the community elders in charge of ensuring law and order in the society. There were also cases of hanging rejection by the society members among others (Schmalleger 13). The main aim was to ensure that the offender did not commit the crime again. These early punishments have influenced modern correctional philosophy in that the main aim is to ensure that a convicted individual reforms and never commits the crime again. In case they reform, it becomes the joy of the society though often, ex-convicts are not widely accepted into the society. Question four Prison system in the United States can be traced back to 1800. The first model was the Pennsylvania model based on separate and silent idea. Pennsylvania built two large prisons and inmates could exercise in these cells on their own. They could also plant a garden or engage in handicraft. Only two states mimicked this system including New Jersey and Rhode Island. However, the system was well adapted by many European countries. The correctional facilities have changed over time since now prisoners have much more freedom in prisons. There are also other inmates who receive conjugal visits from their spouses and the level of reform has improved. In future, the prison system is likely to incorporate more and more reforms. Many inmates will not be reverting to their old ways once they are out of prisons. Question seven Today’s prisons are very accommodative. They allow the prisoners to have more freedom though they are observed on a 24/7 basis. The prisoners are able to receive home visits once in a while and they are able to engage in other activities in the prisons. By the time the prisoners are out, they posses various skills and knowledge that helps them to tackle life from a different angle. Since most of the society members do not always accept them back, they are able to have skills that enable them to be self employed. Question eight Jails play a very crucial role in American corrections. They are enclosures where prisoners are locked in to ensure that they are monitored on a daily basis. Jails enable the reformation of prisoners since their freedom of movement is quite limited. That is why most individuals engage in other activities in prisons that helps them later in life after their terms ends. Jail administrators are faced with the issues of sometimes prisoners running way. Sometimes prisoners pretend to be sick and once they are taken to receive medical attention, they often find plans to elope. Other issues include the issue of mobile phones in jails that prisoners use to con other individuals outside the walls of jail. There are also other issues of homosexuality and insecurity by groups of gangs in jails. Works Cited Schmalleger, Frank. Criminal Justice Today. New York: Pearson Education, 2014. Read More