Beginning in the 20th century and continuing on, Intensive Supervision Probation (ISP) has been recognized and initiated in many parts of the world. The development of this “alternative to incarceration” was instigated in the 1980s due to prison crowding (Jones, 1995). Thus, it has opened up the doors to new ways of supervising lawbreakers. According to Petersilia & Turner (1991), an intensive supervision probation program involves “a combination of multiple weekly contacts with a probation officer, unscheduled drug testing, strict enforcement or probation conditions, and community service” (611). Incorporated into the ISP are various treatment and rehabilitating programs such as psychodynamic therapies, behavioural treatment, and interventions (Bonta et,al. 2000). Evidently, intensive supervision probation supports the due process system because it does not fully abolish freedom from offenders; allowing them to continue functioning within the community.
Although incarceration has been a traditional method of punishment, this “get tough” program has become a more efficient way of treating and controlling offenders. Although this program is more effective on certain types of offenders, it aids countries in decreasing recidivism, saving money, and prison overcrowding. Its goals also include the reinforcement and rehabilitation of social norms and social roles. Ultimately this paper will argue why intensive probation supervision is an effective alternative to incarceration.
Intensive supervision probation is an effective substitute to incarceration because it provides an excessive amount of benefits for both the offenders and the victims. It is self-evident that offenders who participate in the ISP are given freedom and are not c...
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...(Byrne, 1990). Not only has this program intensified, it has enabled more serious offenders to engage in probation programs (Byrne, 1990). Even though this system is evidently “more freedom” based, it still allow for offenders to rehabilitate and function within society. Furthermore, the ISP has reduced prison crowding, recidivism, and has saved money on incarceration expenses. Although, intensive supervision probation is more effective towards the treatment of low-risk offenders such as drug and alcoholic abusers, it avoids spending costs on the construction and operation of more prison space on offenders who do not pose a high threat to society. Ultimately, intensive supervision probation is an effective alternative to incarceration and establishing more ISP programs will undoubtedly encourage improving treatment of offenders and deteriorating criminal behaviour.
Parole is a controversial issue because its vase ways to debate the challenges and problems that will exist. It’s like a side effect to medication based on one’s effectiveness belief. In like manner, the public media allows others who aren’t immediately effected to become tertiary, and secondary victims. It is the door to open opinions. An inmate is released from a sentence given parole and then assigned a parole and probation officer. The one thing that will make probation and parole successful is the supervision of the program and rehabilitation or residential treatment center. This will support the goal to maximize the good behavior and minimize the harmful behaviors of individuals. Probation is a good program because it’s a form of rehabilitation that gives inmates elevate space to obey rules and regulations. On the contrary, probation is risky just like any new diet plan that people use to
The complex issues of dealing with offenders in the criminal justice system has been a point of ongoing controversy, particularly in the arena of sentencing. In one camp there are those who believe offenders should be punished to the full extent of the law, while others advocate a more rehabilitative approach. The balancing act of max punishment for crimes committed, and rehabilitating the offender for reintegration into society has produced varying philosophies. With the emanation of drug-induced crimes over the past few decades, the concept of drug treatment courts has emerged. The premise of these courts is to offer a “treatment based alternative to prison,” which consist of intensive treatment services, random drug testing, incentives
Every civilization in history has had rules, and citizens who break them. To this day governments struggle to figure out the best way to deal with their criminals in ways that help both society and those that commit the crimes. Imprisonment has historically been the popular solution. However, there are many instances in which people are sent to prison that would be better served for community service, rehab, or some other form of punishment. Prison affects more than just the prisoner; the families, friends, employers, and communities of the incarcerated also pay a price. Prison as a punishment has its pros and cons; although it may be necessary for some, it can be harmful for those who would be better suited for alternative means of punishment.
Many of these I listed prior that pertained to adult offenders under ISP, as the system is dealing with juveniles more services would be offereded due to the fact that it is seem as a priority to ensure that any juveniles entering the system be rehabilitated and released back into society as soon as possible.
Lipsey, M. W., Chapman, G. L., L & Enberger, N. A. (2001). Cognitive-behavioral programs for offenders. The annals of the american academy of political and social science, 578 (1), pp. 144--157.
A significant benefit of ISP is the cost effectiveness. On average it cost about $60 a day to house a person in prison unlike the only $8 dollars to supervise a criminal in the community. (njpt.uscourts.gov) I like how there are different “levels” of ISPs, grouping the criminals with the level of supervision needed for him or her. It gives the participant (of ISP’s) responsibility but still having to keep up priorities that could have may happened in jail as well: (1) participating in treatment programming, breathalyzer tests, random urinalysis tests, unannounced home visits, working, and paying bills and court ordered obligations. It is also an effective form due to the strict program that has to be followed; along, that it is offered in the juvenile court system. I also think community service would be another effective form of intermediate sanctions. This helps hold offenders accountable for the harm they have caused to the community and help improve the quality of public environments, business, etc in a community. Community service also provides offenders an opportunity of skill development and interaction with positive role
McCarthy, Belinda R. Intermediate Punishments: Intensive Supervision, Home Confinement and Electronic Surveillance. New York: Criminal Justice Press, 1987.
the malefactor accountable for their crime(s). The probation also tries to lower the cost of
The first issue to be tackled for an offender is a drug referral if needed since other interventions and programs will not have much effect if the offender will not retain them due to drug use. These treatment facilities communicate with the probation officers. They keep them informed on the offender’s progress and/or issues the offender has. The lower risk offenders are eligible for treatment programs. (Loftus, lecture)
All in all, the ideas surrounding the criminal justice system were affirmed by the field practice experience. Many open doors have resulted from the venture into the field of probation. As an advocate and future employee of the criminal justice system the skills and intellect gained from the college of criminal justice at SHSU along with the internship opportunity with the Dallas County Adult Probation Department will serve as a path to a successful career. The talented individuals and extraordinary situations encountered on the journey will not be forgotten.
Wormith, J. S., Althouse, R., Simpson, M., Reitzel, L. R., Fagan, T. J., & Morgan, R. D. (2007). The rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders: The current landscape and some future directions for correctional psychology. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 34(7), 879-892.
This model of corrections main purpose was to reintroducing the offenders in to the community. This Program was invented to help offenders in the transition from jail to the community, aid in the processes of finding jobs and stay connected to their families and the community. The needs of these individuals are difficult: the frequency of substance abuse, mental illness, unemployment, and homelessness is elevated among the jail population.
The “Tough on Crime” and “War on Drugs” policies of the 1970s – 1980s have caused an over populated prison system where incarceration is policy and assistance for prevention was placed on the back burner. As of 2005, a little fewer than 2,000 prisoners are being released every day. These individuals have not gone through treatment or been properly assisted in reentering society. This has caused individuals to reenter the prison system after only a year of being release and this problem will not go away, but will get worst if current thinking does not change. This change must be bigger than putting in place some under funded programs that do not provide support. As the current cost of incarceration is around $30,000 a year per inmate, change to the system/procedure must prevent recidivism and the current problem of over-crowed prisons.
The United States criminal justice system is an ever-changing system that is based on the opinions and ideas of the public. Many of the policies today were established in direct response to polarizing events and generational shifts in ideology. In order to maintain public safety and punish those who break these laws, law enforcement officers arrest offenders and a judge or a group of the law offender’s peers judge their innocence. If found guilty, these individuals are sentenced for a predetermined amount of time in prison and are eventually, evaluated for early release through probation. While on probation, the individual is reintegrated into their community, with restrict limitations that are established for safety.
Coyle (2005). The 'Standard'. To say whether using prison as a form of punishment has aid in the quest of tackling the crime problem, one must first consider the purposes of the prison.... ... middle of paper ... ...