Cjs 255 - Determining Conditions of Probation Simulation

Determining Conditions of Probation Simulation

Lauren Fuller

CJS/255

November 30, 2015

John Eckert

Determining Conditions of Probation Simulation

        The conditions designated to a supervision plan define the potential for the outcome and influence the rehabilitation of an individual. Based on specific needs, personal history, or criminal history, probation and parole officers have the discretionary authority to choose specialized requirements for clients. The ambitions and objectives of probation and parole is to reintegrate criminal offenders and rehabilitate behaviors through participation in formulated treatment methods and constructive parameters. Conditions of supervision should address the issues that may be contributing to an individual's criminal behaviors.

        Correctional supervision for a designated period of time defines probation, an alternative sentence to incarceration. Although sentences of probation often serve as a substitute penalty, providing the opportunity for the offender to prove they are able to change criminal behaviors, some probation cases feature combined sentences with incarceration and community supervision. Probation can have positive effects for offenders, especially those who are young and may have committed a lapse in judgment. Parole describes a length of time that is conditionally supervised upon the release of an offender from prison. Discretionary release and mandatory release include certain conditions associated with managing the actions and behaviors of offenders (University of Phoenix, 2015). This is to ensure or control adherence to conditions which were made as a continuance of punishment beyond incarceration.

        A probation or parole officer must review a client's case file to determine specific conditions which may need to be established for an effective plan of supervision. For example, if the offender has a history of drug and alcohol use, the officer will want to mandate participation in a therapeutic treatment regimen for drug and alcohol abuse, and perhaps even participation in Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings for a period of time after counseling. A pre-sentence investigation report is typically done before determination of punishment, and provides background information for the parole or probation officer to use when deciding an appropriate and effective approach (University of Phoenix, 2015). The background of an offender is crucial to consider when determining a supervision plan because true rehabilitation begins in the treatment of underlying causes of criminal behavior. The outcomes and conditions of community supervision programs involve stabilizing basic needs like housing or shelter, food, and other sustenance, especially for parolees who are trying to reestablish a life in society.