Probation In Corrections

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The use of probation in the corrections system is necessary. “Probation services are not merely crime reduction agencies; they are justice agencies.”(McNeill, 2011) Not all violations of the law require jail or prison time. Originally, probation was seen as a time of penance. Confinement was not necessary for this reflective time but boundaries where still enacted to make them feel punished. Unlike jail or prison time, probation is really what the probationer makes out of it. “It is important to recognize the vital role that probation services play not just in rehabilitation for crime reduction but in enabling constructive reparation by offenders enabling them to pay back for their crimes.” (McNeill, 2011) Probation, therefore, gives the probationer …show more content…
“The state ranks fourth nationally for incarcerated men and first for incarcerated women.” (Harris, 2013) The probation system in place is non-existent. “There are no state mandated requirements whatsoever, offenders can merely check-in with their probation supervisor through the mail and anyone -- without special training -- can oversee probation.” (Harris, 2013) This is ofcourse troubling but this laisse-faire attitude towards probation was enacted in 2005 with the District Attorney Supervision Act. “That legislation also allowed district attorney's to collect on monthly probation supervision fees, generating more income for their offices.” (Harris, 2013) Just as the prison system has become a for profit institution, the Oklahoma probation system has as well. Therefore, the probation system in Oklahoma is obviously not been utilized to its potential. With the statistics high in regard to incarcerations, too many offenders are being arrested time and time again and judges are time and time again throwing them in jails or prisons. It is a vicious cycle of disregard for the law that will continue to occur unless drastic changes are