The Pros And Cons Of Probation

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Probation is the conditional release of an offender, after conviction, back into the community and requires that he or she be supervised by a probation officer and is the most common form of criminal punishment used in the United States (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2015). A 1988 study in Illinois showed that a sentence of probation with a community-based treatment program had the lowest recidivism rates based on the demographics upon which the sentence was imposed (Wooldredge, 1988). Although probation is imposed upon both adults and juveniles, it is commonly more effective upon youths. Nonetheless, male juveniles who are placed on probation are far more likely to recidivate than female youths, and African American male juveniles are far more likely to recidivate than any other ethnic group of juveniles placed on probation in the United States (Smith, Rodriguez, & Zatz, 2009).…show more content…
But, as is the case with anything, some individuals simply refuse to follow rules, or do what they are instructed. As a result, many of the adults and juveniles who recidivate while on probationary supervision do so as a result of their own choosing and willfulness.It is difficult for me to give an opinion which doesn’t sound biased. As a law enforcement officer, I see, and have seen, offenders recidivate time and again. It seems, sometimes, as if these individuals simply want to go to jail or be on probation, or simply do not have any desire to be productive members of society. So, as a tax-paying policeman, recidivism is extremely important to me as a measure of program success. However, I do know and understand that recidivism rates ought not be contributed in their entirety to the program. Some people simply refuse to comply. Criminal history ought also to be considered when evaluating recidivism (Eaglin,
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