Parole and Probation
Parole and Probation
Jessica A. Taylor
University of Phoenix
CJA 313 Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
August 8, 2010
Henry Provencher
The criminal justice system in America is very complex. It has many parts that must work together in order for it to be effective. The criminal justice system relies on politicians to create laws, judges to interpret laws, and police officials to enforce the laws. However, our system would not be as effective, if not for the vigilant efforts of other agencies and groups. Although often overlooked by the public the parole and probation programs in America are important components of the American criminal justice system. These programs must continue to evolve to ensure the current and future effectiveness of our criminal justice system. The parole and probation program was designed to help give a second chance to people who have made criminal mistakes, while still safeguarding the community. The parole and probation program recognizes that some people have the ability to be rehabilitated and become productive members of their communities. Americans do not want their countrymen held in jail unnecessarily and these two programs help ensure that only people who deserve to be in jail are held. The probation program in America highlights the belief that incarceration is not America’s first choice, when dealing with criminal behavior. This ideology is the basis of all the recommendations and solutions made in this report. The goal of this analysis is to increase awareness of the parole and probation programs and to initiate changes that will help maintain the effectiveness of these programs.
I have been tasked by the Michigan state attorney general to write an analysis and create a way to improve the parole and probation programs. The recommendations in this report will be implemented and tested in Detroit, MI. The Governor of Michigan has promised to support full state-wide implementations of the recommendations if
Jessica A. Taylor
University of Phoenix
CJA 313 Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
August 8, 2010
Henry Provencher
The criminal justice system in America is very complex. It has many parts that must work together in order for it to be effective. The criminal justice system relies on politicians to create laws, judges to interpret laws, and police officials to enforce the laws. However, our system would not be as effective, if not for the vigilant efforts of other agencies and groups. Although often overlooked by the public the parole and probation programs in America are important components of the American criminal justice system. These programs must continue to evolve to ensure the current and future effectiveness of our criminal justice system. The parole and probation program was designed to help give a second chance to people who have made criminal mistakes, while still safeguarding the community. The parole and probation program recognizes that some people have the ability to be rehabilitated and become productive members of their communities. Americans do not want their countrymen held in jail unnecessarily and these two programs help ensure that only people who deserve to be in jail are held. The probation program in America highlights the belief that incarceration is not America’s first choice, when dealing with criminal behavior. This ideology is the basis of all the recommendations and solutions made in this report. The goal of this analysis is to increase awareness of the parole and probation programs and to initiate changes that will help maintain the effectiveness of these programs.
I have been tasked by the Michigan state attorney general to write an analysis and create a way to improve the parole and probation programs. The recommendations in this report will be implemented and tested in Detroit, MI. The Governor of Michigan has promised to support full state-wide implementations of the recommendations if
Cited: Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2010, August 08). Retrieved 03 August, 2010, from Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Statistics: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=tp&tid=15 Bureau of Labor Statistics . (2009, December 17). Retrieved August 03, 2010, from United States Department of Labor: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos265.htm Farley. (2010 , January 31). Retrieved August 04, 2010, from The Free Dictionary: http://www.thefreedictionary.com Mackenzie, D. L. (2002, Decemhtmlber 01). Probation and Parole: History, Goals , and Decision-Making. Retrieved August 03, 2010, from Encyclopedia of Crime and Justice: www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3403000205.html Nolan, P. (2010, August 05). Prison Fellowship. Retrieved August 06, 2010, from Justice Fellowship: http://www.justicefellowship.org/component/content/article/109-backlinks/856-reforming-probation-and-parole-will-cut-crime-and-lower-prison-costs Probation officers, careers, jobs and training information. (2010, January 01). Retrieved August 03, 2010, from Career overview: http://www.careeroverview.com/probation-office-careers.html -------------------------------------------- [ 1 ]. All recommendations are based off article dutifully cited as [ (Nolan, 2010) ]. Information about this citation can be found in the bibliography.