Essay - Corrections Probation and Parole Probation and Parole Functions Have Usually...

Corrections

***** and Parole

Probation and parole functions have usually gone h***** in ********** in the correction system, and are often mentioned as one in ***** same agency. For this reason, a combined ***** should administer both these *****as. Legislatures and governments traditionally under fund these areas of the corrections function, and combining them would allow a greater number ***** officers ***** ***** efficiency in monitoring ex-convicts and convicted offenders.

While probation and parole are often mentioned in the same breath, they do serve different functions that ultimately hope for the same goals. The probation function monitors crim*****als after their release from prison or criminals serving "home" type sentences. For example, a prob*****tion officer monitored Martha Stewart after her release ***** prison and while she was still confined to her home ***** several months. Probation officers ***** the court, and can actually make arrests, take evidence, arrange for drug tests, ***** aid the offender is his return to society.

A parole board, on the other hand, is the decision making body that decides whe*****r a *****er has fulfilled their sentence and can be *****d back into society. ********** must take into account the prisoner's record, their crime, and their attitude, to make sure the prisoner ***** function again in society. In addition, depending on ***** level of offense, a pris*****er may be released into parole rather than probation. A parole agent reports to the parole board, and is responsible for their specific *****s when ***** are released from pr*****on. They study the offenders be*****e they are released, draw up plans and guidelines for ***** ***** their release, and even help the offenders find jobs, housing, and whatever else they need to survive on the outside. Both of ***** agencies have a common goal - to protect the public. ***** just do it in slightly different ways.

It simply *****s sense to blend these two agencies together, since they share much of the same information and both work w*****h ex-convicts and criminals who ***** ********** convicted of crimes. In fact, many corrections systems around ***** country have *****ed these ***** already. Not merging them can have monetary ***** societal consequences. One Oregon reporter notes, "Court, corrections and probation agencies have grown up with separate databases, separate offices ***** separate staffs in ***** not conducive to a comprehensive, systematic approach to offender management" (Bishop D1). Because parole and probation ***** are often separate entities, they do not share *****, such as *****, and because of *****, problem offenders can fall though the cracks of the system and become lost or untraceable. In addition, comb*****ing ***** agencies saves public tax **********, and makes them m*****e effective in the process. These ***** depart*****nts traditionally do not get the same type and amount of financing as o*****r correctional departments, and so, they often are ********** and unable to effectively monitor all the people they need to monitor. This can be dangerous to the ***** safety if an offender is *****, ***** released ***** probation, and