Chapter 3 Flashcards
Mandatory release
conditional release to the community under a determinate sentence that is automatic at the expiration of the minimum term sentence minus any credited time off for good behavior
Discretionary release
parole board decides prisoner has earned the privilege of release while still remaining under supervision
Expiration
release from prison after 100% of the sentence has been served
Alexander Maconochie
father of parole, governor of the Penal Colony on Norfolk Island, instituted a system of early release (mark system) that was the forerunner of modern parole
Sir Walter Crofton
made Irish system, w/graduated institutional control leading up to release under conditions similar to modern parole
Zebulon R. Brockway
Elmira reformatory NY - the American prison reformer who introduced parole as a modern correctional method
4 justifications of parole
- reward for good prison conduct
- post release supervision
- release from an intermediate sentence
- reducing the cost of incarceration
Medical model 1
- assumed criminal behavior had roots in environmental and psychological aspects of the offender’s life, and corrections could fix it
Medical model 2
not concerned with what an offender does but why did they do it and what could’ve been done to counteract the condition that caused the behavior
Medical model 3
required an intermediate sentencing model so that the parole could occur upon being rehabilitated
Medical model 4
parole board determines release time and reentry into the community
Discretionary release vs. mandatory release
discretionary release - by parole board
mandatory release - by statute
Parole today
parole boards:
-improved prisoner participation in treatment programs and are more objective and open through parole guidelines
- victims can attend parole board meeting to convince board not to release offender
Parole today 2
- release decisions in determinate sentencing lessens responsibility of board if inmate reoffends
- if discretionary release was abolished, it doesn’t mean that prisoners will serve their full sentence, prevent them from getting out, or increase public safety
Characteristics of parole
- there are 820,000 people on parole now in the U.S
- southern region carries the highest incarceration rate, lowest parole rate
- northeast region has the opposite situation
- most parolees are men, but since 2000, 12% are women
Functions of parole
- enforcing restrictions and controls on parolees in the community
- providing services to help parolees integrate within society
- increase public’s level of confidence in effectiveness and responsiveness of parole services
