Part 8 Flashcards
corrections
the structure, policies, and programs to sanction, punish, treat and supervise individuals who have been convicted
carceral corrections
traditional and institutional
non-carceral
- serving time in non-institutional settings
- only typically works for more minor, petty crimes
- e.g. community corrections, diversion programs, probation, restorative justice, parole
who is involved in community corrections
- probationers
- POs
- volunteers
- parolees
- family/peer support
- NGOs
- judges
alternatives to confinement
programs for offenders, intermediate sanctions, restorative justice initiatives
diversion programs
- designed to keep offenders from entering the formal justice system
- typically focused on low-risk, first-time offenders
- reduce costs, minimize social stigmatization, assist offenders in addressing specific/root factors related to their offending
- can only help people who want to be helped
challenges of diversion programs
- net-widening effect
- depletes systems resources and impairs its ability to properly intervene
conditional sentences
- offenders sentenced to 2 years less a day can serve in the community rather than custody
- fulfill conditions but not on probation
- factors like risk of reoffending, and amount of harm before considering
electric monitoring
- monitoring an offender
- alternative to confinement
- less serious and non-violent crimes
- objective is public safety while allowing the offender to remain in the community
concerns with electronic monitoring
- privacy
- human rights
- hinder integration into the community
- reduces face-to-face interactions
probation
- used when there no mandatory minimum sentence/conditions you can receive probation as as sentence on its own
- most frequent type of community corrections
- up to 3 years of probation period
- versatile
- breach of conditions can result in summary or indictable conviction
mandatory conditions
- given to all probationers
- .g. keeping the peace, good behavior, reporting to your PO
optional conditions
- tailored to the offender
- specific to the offender and their crime
- e.g. stay away from said person or place because it has to do with your crime potentially
breach conditions on probation
- can lead to summary or indictable conviction
- can go back into the court system and it leaves discretion up to the judge
most common use of probation
used as a sentence on its own and is the most commonly used community correction
mandatory uses of probation
- conditional discharge
- condition of suspended sentence
- part of an intermittent sentence
optional uses of probation
- in conjunction with a conditional sentence
- following a prison term of two years or less
conditional discharge
- guilty but not convicted
- no permanent record
- e.g. eligible for parole or early release and have not served your whole sentence yet, carry out the rest of your sentence on probation
suspended sentence
- abide by a probation order for 1-3 years (instead of incarceration)
- criminal record stands
fines
- fine option programs to be worked in the community
- can be combined with other sentences
pains of probation
- emotional and economic challenges that probationers may experience during their time on probation
- e.g. stigmatization, feeling isolated/alone, limitations, difficulty gaining employment
RNR model
- provide a more individualized model of achieving success
- effective model in terms of reintegration but impractical due to having to individualize everything for everyone
- 3 principles:
1. risk
2. needs
3. responsivity
risk principle of RNR model
- matching level of risk
- risk the offender bring because that varies from offender to offender
- e.g. crime they committed, substance abuse issues, who they hang around
If they are super high risk the conditions of probation need to match that and vice versa
need principle of RNR model
- target criminogenic needs, which are the needs of the individual and why they are engaging in criminal activity
- e.g. did they commit this crime because they are dealing with substance abuse issues, did it get them where they are now?
responsivity principle of RNR model
- matched to learning style and ability
- e.g. does not do well in having authority exerted over them, they don’t respond well to that treatment so putting them into that treatment is not beneficial. What are alternatives? Can they learn in ____ environment?
roles and responsibilities of probation officers
- supervision
- assessments report
- case management
- community collaboration
dual role of probation officers
enforce and control the conditions of probation while providing assistance, support and encouragement
challenges of probation officers
- occupational stress
- dealing with high-risk or violent offenders
- remote communities
effectiveness of use of probation
- stable relationships/support
- employment
- low-risk, first time offenders
challenges/issues of using probation
- less positive outcomes for those with lengthy records
- failure to identify risks, needs and appropriate interventions (not all POs are great)
- low program completion
- big case loads
absolute discharge
- found guilty, not convicted
- discharges with no conditions
- should be used only in exceptional circumstances
