This paper looks at the issue of probation and how it is related to the levels f recidivism. There is further a diagnosis of the offenders who are likely to succeed on probation and not fall back to recidivism. there is also a further discussion of the bets evidence-based ways to end recidivism and support the probationers towards fast reintegration into the community.
Probation and Recidivism
Recidivism is the habit of offenders falling back to crime or misdemeanor after having been charged with offences or while still on probation. It is a new crime that is committed by a felony inmate or a probationer (Merriam Webster, 2012). The recidivism rate is measured by the number of re-arrests, reincarnations and the reconvictions that take place.
From various studies, there have been various categories of offenders who have been noted to have a higher possibility of falling into recidivism than others and yet another category that has a greater percentage of success in their probation and not fall back into recidivism. The success on probation is widely predicted based on personal characters of the probationers. Women of thirty years and above are generally seen to be able to carry on successfully with the probation and not be subjects to recidivism. It is also noted by Cengage Learning Inc. (2009), those who have had no previous record of felony or being subjected to probation also have a high possibility of success in probation.
The offenders who have professions of technical skills that allow them to make a living within the society in a comfortable manner are also highly likely to succeed on their probation than those without any professional training or technical skills to earn a living from. It is also note that those offenders who went through high school successfully and finished are more likely to succeed in the probation and avid recidivism even after the probation period.
The offenders who lived for a quite some time with their children or their spouses have more chances of succeeding on the probation than those who have hot had any special attachments to their spouses or children. Those offenders who were on probation for petty offences or misdemeanor are said to have more chances of succeeding in the probation than those who were put on probation due to felony or more serious crimes.
From the above, it is noticeable that the community and the extent to which one is integrated into the community has a lot to do with the rate of recidivism or lack of it, hence the society being a pivotal point in ensuring the society has lesser and lesser cases of recidivism.
Impact of probation on recidivism
There are many who do not believe in the notion that a stronger and better planned probation has the ability to reduce significantly the rates of recidivism. However, as found out by Dr. Tony Fabelo (2009) the 'justice reinvestment' that he pioneered in Travis County which was aimed at revamping and rejuvenating the probation process did prove that a well structured and working probation system, that is based on evidence and tangible action was the best way of ensuring that recidivism is reduced to a possible minimum and that the overcrowding in the jails are reduced significantly.
There are five ways that are evidence-based that Fabelo suggest towards ensuring there is a working probation system that is aimed at reducing recidivism, these are as below:
There is need to have a centralized diagnosis unit that is staffed with specialized people on diagnosis dedicated to it alone. This will ensure there is a consistent follow-up process that is formulated and not the haphazard method with unites located separately.
Ther is also need to have a well structured diagnosis report that the courts are furnished with on a case by case basis. This will equip the courts with the data of the low-risk offenders, the medium-risk offenders and the high risk offenders. This helps the courts to appropriately follow up on the offenders and know the records of each offender hence reducing the possibility of an offender falling risk of recidivism as he will be under watch by the community law enforcers depending on the category they are in.
Once the diagnosis is made, there is need to craft out a supervision strategy that befits the diagnosis. This strategy will involve the number of contacts that the offender should make per month, the program utilization, the special aspects to support the supervision, sanctions that can be stipulated if there is a violation of the probation, the incentives that will be given upon successful completion and the accountability of the outcomes.
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