Probation

Thomas Jimmerson
Alex Madejczyk
Kiel Cummins
Kyle Spinner
Jesse Fudge

Summary:
Probation is a sentence where the offender is closely monitored in the
community based on good behavior. Contrary to popular belief probation is still
considered a sentence. When on probation the offender has certain conditions they
must obey, such as tether (house arrest), drug test, breathalyzers and unexpected
visits from probation officers. Before probation can happen a probation officer
must fill out a Presentence investigation report; that evaluates previous criminal
behavior and recommends appropriate sentence. Probation was created by John
Augustus in the 19th century. More than 4.2 million Americans are on probation
on a given day.

Supporting argument:
Probation presents a number of advantages over being incarcerated, both for
the individual and the state. One benefit probation provides for the state is that it
acts as a cost-efficient alternative to incarceration. It costs the state far more money
to put a person in jail or prison then to place them on probation. Placing people on
probation also helps with prison population. Many prisons are overcrowded,
reducing the services available to inmates which could be critical to their
rehabilitation. Another benefit of probation is that it prevents the hardening effect
of prison.

Opposing argument:
Always the main concern is the victim. If the person on probation had
commit assault, the victim may not feel safe if the assailant we to be released back
to the community, even conditionally. Another problem is that we are putting the
assailant right back into the same environment, and if the assailant was convicted
of molesting or having had sexual relations with a minor, the victim might feel in

danger and the temptation of committing the crime again is present. Another
problem is that it may not make the person responsible feel that they will be
punished for committing crimes and will commit another believing no-one will do
anything about it. It might also make the victim feel that anyone who commits a
crime against them will not be taken care of properly. Probation can threaten the
safety of a community and victim, and can stir up fear within that community.


Conclusion:
Probation is a cost-effective alternative to incarceration that helps with overcrowding
correction facilities, and has many advantages and disadvantages. The advantages
being: it is cost efficient, keeps people out of prison (which helps with overcrowding and
rehabilitation), and it prevents the hardening effect of prison.
The disadvantages being that the person convicted of a crime and sentenced to
probation is released back to the community, putting people back into the environment
which may have caused them to commit the crime in the first place, the person
convicted is not constantly monitored (like those under house arrest), and the victim and
community may feel threatened by the presence of this person.