Prison Sentencing: A Diversionary Study

1350 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: alternative sentencing

Diversionary programs aim to use a variety of program based sanctions that permit convicted offenders to remain in the community under conditional supervision as an alternative to a prison sentence. These programs include probation, parole, community corrections and many more. Diversionary programs not only provide offenders with better way to serve their sentence, but also provide employment opportunities. Schmalleger (2015) defines probation as "A sentence served while under supervision in the community" (p. 391). Probation like other sentencing options are court ordered it is the most common form of criminal sentencing. Individuals sentenced to probation must agree to follow court mandated conditions. If these conditions are violated probation …show more content…

If they do not meet these requirements the applicant may meet the requirement to be a parole officer trainee. The requirement for this is a Bachelor's Degree or higher degree in sociology, psychology, social work, counseling, criminal justice, rehabilitation counseling, American studies with concentration in Native American studies, or in Black, Asian Pacific Islander, Hispanic cultural studies, or Latin American/Caribbean studies; or a law degree (Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, 2016). If an applicant meets the requirements they will have to take a Parole Officer or Parole Officer Trainee Civil Service examination. In certain instances, an individual already employed by New York State may qualify for transfer (Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, …show more content…

Currently, there are approximately 165 diversionary correctional programs designed to reduce reliance on incarceration and operate in a manner consistent with public safety (Division of Criminal Justice Services, 2016). In New York City, The Youth Advocacy Project works with court-involved youth. The program provides case management, counseling, peer support groups, and engaging activities rooted in a youth development perspective (Center for Community Alternatives. Inc, 2012). Caseworkers working for this program are responsible for assuring that the youth meet their court dates and abide by court mandates, while helping them improve their family relations, maintain regular attendance in school, and address health and mental health issues. They are also expected to maintain strong and effective relationships with judges and other court personnel. Caseworkers are to perform nightly curfew checks on clients, and have regular interaction with the youth’s schools to ensure and verify school attendance, and conduct home visits (Center for Community Alternatives. Inc,

Show More
Related

  • The -What Works- Movement of Criminal Justice

    1048 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...(2004). Applying the principles of effective intervention to juvenile correctional programs. Corrections Today, 66(7), 26-29. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=4bd9d7f2-8ac5-42c6-a100-a2443eda9cbf@sessionmgr4002&vid=1&hid=4213

    Read More

  • Criminal Justice Management Case Assignment Models

    1571 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...es and cautions of jail diversion programs include safety of the public and the potential cross-purpose goals of the treatment services industry and the criminal justice system. Public safety is paramount when discussing jail diversion programs. Whatever has caused the offender to commit crime, be it substance abuse or a mental illness, does not negate the fact that the crime was committed and the public must be protected from the offender is some form or fashion. Jail diversion programs have various tracking methods of offenders but they do provide enough freedom and opportunity for recidivism. Also, treatment services and incarceration do often work at cross purposes and unless integrated successfully can cause barriers to coordination and solutions (SAMHSA, 1993). One organization emphasizes treatment and the other emphasizes public safety and punishment.

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of Community Based Corrections

    1434 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are numerous community based corrections programs available in the juvenile justice system such as: drug court or substance abuse treatment, mentoring, independent living transition services, community service, mediation or restitution, group home placement, functional family therapy, job training or work programs, Electronic Monitoring System or Global Positioning System,

    Read More

  • Sentencing Guidelines in the Criminal Justice System

    3268 Words  | 7 Pages

    The criminal justice system has been in place the United States for centuries. The system has endured many changes throughout the ages. The need for a checks and balances system has been a priority for just as long. Federal sentencing guidelines were created to help create equal punishments among offenders. Judges are given the power of sentencing and they are not immune to opinions, bias, and feelings. These guidelines are set in place to allow the judge to keep their power but keep them within a control group of equality. Although there are a lot of pros to sentencing guidelines there are also a lot of cons. Research has shown that sentencing guidelines have allowed the power to shift from judges to prosecutors and led to sentencing disparity based on sex, race, and social class.

    Read More

  • Ohio Juvenile Diversion Association

    630 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Ohio juvenile diversion program began in 1986 and was developed by diversion agents who wanted to help juveniles develop positive self esteem, personal values, interpersonal communication skills, ways to deal with stress and peer pressure, and skills in setting goals (Journal, 1993). Juvenile participants can enter this juvenile diversion program by being mandated by a judge, recommended by a school counselor, through a probation officer, or recommended by a parent. Quite often the choice to enroll a juvenile in this program is selected over placing the juvenile into a detention facility. When enrolling in the Ohio juvenile diversion program the juvenile enrolls in 4-H and completes a project. A club meeting accompanies each session, which enables juveniles to develop leadership skills by conducting a business meeting.

    Read More

  • Intermediate Sanctions And Shock Probation

    2193 Words  | 5 Pages

    Shock Probation Shock probation is a punishment which is imposed by the court for releasing the offender back into the community under the conditions of the suspended sentence. This type of sanctions assumes that the offenders are not so dangerous that they may respond to rehabilitation while in the community. This type of sanction is imposed on the first-time offenders or non-violent offenders who it is believed that the remaining part of the sentence will best be served in the community while still serving the sentence. Cripe and Clair, 1997. Shock probation refers to a term of a number of years, but after a few days such as 30, 60 days or even 90 days the offender is then removed from the prison.

    Read More

  • Diversion Programs Vs Incarceration Essay

    1047 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the New York Times article, “Safety and Justice Complement Each Other,” by Glenn E. Martin, the author informs, “The Vera Institute for Justice found a 36 percent recidivism rate for individuals who had completed alternative drug programs in New York City, compared with 54 sentenced to prison, jail, probation or time served.” Alternative programs are more likely to inhibit future criminal acts, while incarceration seems to lack long-lasting effects on individuals. In continuance, the author adds that 3 percent of treatment participants were rearrested for violent crimes, while 6 percent of untreated criminals were rearrested for violent crimes. Diversion programs are able to treat one’s motivation for their criminal acts, rather than assuming that illegal habits will go away with time. Instead of sending nonviolent offenders to jail, legislators should consider introducing practical

    Read More

  • Sentencing Of The Criminal Justice System

    1353 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sentencing is the process by which people who have been found guilty of offending against the criminal law have sanctions imposed upon them in accordance with that particular law. The sentence of the court is the most visible aspect of the criminal justice system’s response to a guilty offender. In Tasmania, the Sentencing Act 1997 was enacted to amend and consolidate the law relating to the sentencing of offenders. The crime rate in Tasmania is lower than it was 10 years ago but higher than it was 20 years ago. In the Australian context, Tasmania is below the national average of recorded crimes for the crimes of robbery, burglary and motor vehicle theft.

    Read More

  • Mental Health Probation Essay

    2041 Words  | 5 Pages

    It is a process that the juvenile has to comply with for an informal probation other than going to jail, and conditions are set by the court (Torbet, 1997). The juvenile probation is called the workhorse (Delisi, & Conis, 2013). The juvenile probation system has programs to help with issues for the juveniles and their families. There is a team of people in the court system who all work together to help and treat juveniles with serious mental issues. The team is comprised of judges, juvenile probation department, county medical hospital, District attorneys office, and the public defenders office.

    Read More

  • The Probation System: The North Carolina Probation System

    773 Words  | 2 Pages

    A probation system is an opportunity offered to offenders with minor crimes or good behavior in where the offender is not send to jail instead he/she is put it in probation in where they have to report to a police officer and they have to follow the court orders and cannot break the law. Usually probation is an opportunity for offenders to reintegrated with the community. The North Carolina Probation system is based on supervising the offenders and help them succeed. Also making sure that the offenders don't go back to prison or jail. The organization of the probation system is very similar to a corrections goal which is overall rehabilitation. Probation is not given to anyone, before an offender is place on probation a judge would look at all his criminals record, acts against

    Read More

  • A Career as a Parole Officer

    1323 Words  | 3 Pages

    ... middle of paper ... ... A person needs a good education from college; a bachelor’s degree is needed. There are special types of parole officers, there are psychologist parole officers.

    Read More

  • Sentencing Models and The Correctional System

    862 Words  | 2 Pages

    Be sure to address the four types of sentencing models and the issues surrounding them (equity, truth-in-sentencing and proportionality).

    Read More

  • Why Do I Want To Be A Probation Officer Essay

    1034 Words  | 3 Pages

    When speaking of supervision in the community, the offender is obviously out and about in the community just under a certain type of monitoring, checkups and visits, and rules to be followed. Within diversion programs, offenders can keep their job when they mess up, not face stigmas, avoid a bunch of costs, and if they complete the programs the actual crime itself can be dropped off their record. I personally think that is the big difference, as humans we are all judgmental at some points; when people find out a person has committed a crime they are treated differently. When diversion programs are used, they do not publish that information, so the person will not feel attacked, judged, and excluded from society. (Edwina Rogers,

    Read More

  • Juvenile Delinquency in the States

    1783 Words  | 4 Pages

    Working for the Washington, D.C. Public Defender’s Office in the fall of 1995, I witnessed first hand the inadequacies of our legal system with respect to juvenile offenders. I believe that juvenile justice is a worthwhile topic because of its relevance to every member of American society. If we do not help children in trouble today, they will not have the capacity to be functi...

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of Juvenile Delinquency

    1784 Words  | 4 Pages

    There is still ongoing research about the most effective program to reduce recidivisms and prevent delinquent behaviors. Prevention program helps children and family in many ways, including bullying, helping young mothers, life skill training programs, and school based programs like STATUS and STEP. Community based intervention helps those that are in probation or out of the juvenile justice system. community intervention programs provide family therapy and work with the family or caretaker of the offender. Also, Intensive Protective Supervision (IPS) is a program where juveniles that caused non-serious offense are supervised by a case manager. Even though these programs have shown to be effective and are available for everyone. The population that needs these kinds of services, most are the minority and those that are

    Read More

More about Prison Sentencing: A Diversionary Study

Open Document