Objectives and Efficiency of Community Corrections
Community Corrections are programs such as probation and parole whose main objective is to oversee offenders who have been reentered into the community as a part of their sentence. A basic understanding of the definitions of probation and parole are necessary before analyzing their differences and similarities. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics “[probation] refers to adult offenders whom courts place on supervision in the community through a probation agency, generally in lieu of incarceration” (Bureau of Justice Statics, 2014) and “[parole] refers to criminal offenders who are conditionally released from prison to serve the remaining portion of their sentence in the community” …show more content…
The offender is generally provided with his or her personal list at the first meeting with his or her probation or parole officer. A few other individual terms may include items such as conforming to specific curfews, paying restitution, attending court-ordered courses such as anger management or drug and alcohol counseling, or registering as a sex offender, among other conditions (Prison Fellowship, 2016). It is important to note that if the offender fails to comply the likelihood that he or she will be sent to jail is very high. With that being said, one major difference is in the definitions themselves. A person who is sentenced to probation can either be sentenced to only probation as an alternative to jail or a shorter jail sentence and then probation as an alternative to a longer sentence. Whereas, with parole, an offender can possibly be released as a condition of his or her sentence. Both systems are effective in their own right, depending on the sentence. The American Probation and Parole Association provides a Code of Ethics as follows for probation and parole officers:
1. I will render professional service to the justice system and the community at large in effecting the social adjustment of the offender.
2. I will uphold the law with dignity, displaying an awareness of my responsibility to offenders while recognizing the right of the public to be safeguarded from criminal …show more content…
I will encourage policy, procedures and personnel practices, which will enable others to conduct themselves in accordance with the values, goals and objectives of the American Probation and Parole Association.
8. I recognize my office as a symbol of public faith and I accept it as a public trust to be held as long as I am true to the ethics of the American Probation and Parole Association.
9. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself to my chosen profession. (American Probation and Parole Association, 2009)
One ethical issue that may arise in this profession could be that the probation or parole officer becomes friends with the offender. This could hinder the officer from following his or her Code of Ethics. It is imperative that the probation or parole officer maintain objectivity throughout his or her interactions with the offender. In conclusion, probation and parole do in fact have similarities yet there are also differences. Both are a part of the Community Corrections System and work well depending on the crime and the need for the community. Furthermore, it is important for probation and parole officers to keep their relationships at a professional level with the offenders in order to adhere to the Code of Ethics that have been set
Community Corrections are programs such as probation and parole whose main objective is to oversee offenders who have been reentered into the community as a part of their sentence. A basic understanding of the definitions of probation and parole are necessary before analyzing their differences and similarities. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics “[probation] refers to adult offenders whom courts place on supervision in the community through a probation agency, generally in lieu of incarceration” (Bureau of Justice Statics, 2014) and “[parole] refers to criminal offenders who are conditionally released from prison to serve the remaining portion of their sentence in the community” …show more content…
The offender is generally provided with his or her personal list at the first meeting with his or her probation or parole officer. A few other individual terms may include items such as conforming to specific curfews, paying restitution, attending court-ordered courses such as anger management or drug and alcohol counseling, or registering as a sex offender, among other conditions (Prison Fellowship, 2016). It is important to note that if the offender fails to comply the likelihood that he or she will be sent to jail is very high. With that being said, one major difference is in the definitions themselves. A person who is sentenced to probation can either be sentenced to only probation as an alternative to jail or a shorter jail sentence and then probation as an alternative to a longer sentence. Whereas, with parole, an offender can possibly be released as a condition of his or her sentence. Both systems are effective in their own right, depending on the sentence. The American Probation and Parole Association provides a Code of Ethics as follows for probation and parole officers:
1. I will render professional service to the justice system and the community at large in effecting the social adjustment of the offender.
2. I will uphold the law with dignity, displaying an awareness of my responsibility to offenders while recognizing the right of the public to be safeguarded from criminal …show more content…
I will encourage policy, procedures and personnel practices, which will enable others to conduct themselves in accordance with the values, goals and objectives of the American Probation and Parole Association.
8. I recognize my office as a symbol of public faith and I accept it as a public trust to be held as long as I am true to the ethics of the American Probation and Parole Association.
9. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself to my chosen profession. (American Probation and Parole Association, 2009)
One ethical issue that may arise in this profession could be that the probation or parole officer becomes friends with the offender. This could hinder the officer from following his or her Code of Ethics. It is imperative that the probation or parole officer maintain objectivity throughout his or her interactions with the offender. In conclusion, probation and parole do in fact have similarities yet there are also differences. Both are a part of the Community Corrections System and work well depending on the crime and the need for the community. Furthermore, it is important for probation and parole officers to keep their relationships at a professional level with the offenders in order to adhere to the Code of Ethics that have been set