Introduction
Probation and parole are methods of community supervision established by the law enforcement system for criminals after they are released from prison. They improve public safety and play an important role as a corrective measure for criminals. Although these measures have a similar aim, they have significant differences. This essay will analyze the difference between the two concepts and assess the role of community supervision in the criminal justice system.
Difference Between Probation and Parole
Probation and parole apply to individuals who have committed an offense and are part of the justice system. The main difference is that probation does not imply imprisonment (Abadinsky, 2018). The criminal appoints a specific period during which the probationary period lasts. During this period, a person is under constant surveillance, which makes it impossible to re-offend.
Parole is the early release of prisoners who have already served part of their sentence and have demonstrated good behavior and a willingness to return to society (Abadinsky, 2018). Parolees must take the necessary measures to integrate into the community and change their criminal way of life, including finding a job and a source of stable income.
Although probation and parole have similar purposes, I think both methods should be used in society. First, imprisonment can harm a person’s mental state, which can be avoided through probation (Okonofua et al., 2021). Secondly, it reduces the burden on the prison system and the state budget.
CommunityRole
The community provides various services and resources to facilitate the integration of people into society and maintain public safety. Studies show that after release from prison, people have fewer social connections that could prevent re-offending (Okonofua et al., 2021). This creates an increased risk of relapse and worsens safety for the community. Therefore, community services are essential as they provide reintegration, training, and employment programs (Abadinsky, 2018). Additionally, often, people who have been released from prison or are on probation can receive the necessary psychological support and healthcare.
Conclusion
Hence, probation and parole are necessary measures the law enforcement system takes to reduce crime and help offenders integrate into society. Although the two concepts have a common purpose, they are fundamentally different. This difference makes it necessary to use both measures, depending on the circumstances of the crime. Moreover, community supervision gives offenders the necessary services and resources to change their behavior and create a safer society.
References
Abadinsky, H. (2018). Probation and parole: Corrections in the community (13th ed.). Pearson Education.
Okonofua, J. A., Saadatian, K., Ocampo, J., Ruiz, M., & Oxholm, P. D. (2021). A scalable empathic supervision intervention to mitigate recidivism from probation and parole. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(14), 1-6. Web.