The Probation and Parole

Parole is the earlier release of a convict from jail of the prison where he, or she will be under immense supervision after a small period of the conviction has been served. The practice always assumes that the prisoner will successfully demonstrate the conformity to regulations and the rules of the prison environment. The offender is expected to show the ability to suit back in the society’s laws and norms.

Probation

In his book Abadinsky (2003) said that probation is a sanction imposed by the court that is meant to release a convicted offender back to the community on a conditional suspended sentence. The practice assumes that he offenders will not be dangerous and that they will respond to treatment. An average probationer is a nonviolent or first time offender whose trust is put on him that it will be best if he remained in the community. The convicted continue to serving the sentence outside prison walls.

There are types of probation and shock probations which include split probation. According to Petersilia (2002) Split probation is a type of sentence for term years. The sentence prevail, but the offender is removed from jail after, thirty, sixty or nighty days. The terms can be used interchangeably, but they involved different activities. Shock probation offenders are originally sentenced to jail then brought to the presiding judge after 30,60, or 90 days for sentencing to probation. In split sentencing, the probation is part of the sentence and requires no additional appearance before a judge.

Functions of probation and parole officer

The persons of this position are responsible for the daily routines of providing professional, social services and the law enforcement duties to convicted offenders in jails. Supervision services are granted in the community for parolees, probationers, and inmates in the re-entry program in order to increase public safety through the reduction of future criminal behavior. (Syosset, 2007)The officer identifies each offenders needs like programming needs plus the security risk they pose. The officers subsequently march offender with selected institutional services provided such as rehabilitation program. Parole officers make recommendations concerning the transfer of prisoners, conditional release or temporary absences. They too recommend for convict release from jail and try to integrate them back to the society. Parole officers work hand in hand with the offenders, community parole officers, correctional officers, program officers and psychologist.   Back in the community it is the duty of parole officer to ensure public safety by making proper scheduled or unscheduled visits. The officer’s provide offenders phone calls to communicate with their family members back home.

The officers assist the security officers during operations in case or in the event of unrest, disturbances or riots in the prisons vicinity. The officers carry out impromptu or periodic searches to make sure that no drugs are within the prison perimeters. They transport offenders wherever they are required.  It is the work of parole officer to keep proper document regarding a prisoner’s caseload. This helps the officers in delivering the convicts on the due date of their cases.