Probation And Recidivism

Does whether a federal inmate goes straight to probation or has a stay at a federally contracted half-way house before going on federal probation affect their recidivism rate? That is the question this researcher wants to find out. Why does this question matter? If this researcher can see a significant difference in recidivism rates between felons who go straight to probation and those who go from a half-way first then move on to federal probation, the implications of the findings could save the tax payers millions of dollars, prevent people from becoming future victims of crime, and overall better our society by having those convicted felons become more successful members of society. Police officers wouldn’t have to waste time arresting the …show more content…
Fast forward to know and the same concept still applies. People convicted of crimes can be sentenced to probation, usually for a certain number of years, to help reduce the amount of people incarcerated. People being released from federal incarceration are usually placed on probation for a certain amount of years depending on their nature of their crime. While on probation, these “probationers” are expected to follow certain rules that if broken, will lead to consequences such as extended years on probation, a revoke in certain privileges, or, in extreme cases, a return to incarceration. These rules are generally the same for offenders regardless of their crimes except in cases of discretion by a judge. Some of these rules can include but not limited to; being illicit drug and alcohol free, maintain or actively seek employment, attending counseling sessions, anti-drug meetings such …show more content…
The director of the facility chooses whom to accept into the facility. They get some time off their sentence if they successfully go through the program. They get some freedoms such as being allowed to leave the facility for employment, passes that give them a certain amount of time to shop at predesignated places, and home passes which allow them to return home for a certain amount of time before they must return to the half-way house facility. Their goal while at the facility is work up to being able to be put on home detention. This is when they get an ankle bracelet monitor which essentially puts them on house arrest. Every move they make is known by the staff. If they wish to go to Walmart, then after they sign out from the facility, they must call upon arrival and call upon departure. They are expected to return at a certain time. If they don’t, then they will be considered on escape status. If that happens, an arrest warrant is put out on them and when they are caught, they will return to prison to finish out their sentence.
The idea behind half-way houses is to help inmates return to society at a steady pace rather than just dumping them into the new world. Some residents that have done a lengthy stay will struggle adjusting to the new world. It allows them to reconnect with their family, find employment,