What are four initiatives discussed in the text that may help shape the future of probation? Do you think one of these initiatives seems more promising than the others and why?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Students should choose four of the initiatives discussed in the textbook. Their answers on which initiative seems most promising and why will vary.Making probationers pay. At least 25 states impose some form of fee on probationers to defray the cost of community corrections. Day fees, which are based on the probationer's wages, have been initiated in some states. A second method is to make probation more effective. In this case, legislatures institute policies that reward the most effective and efficient local departments. The money can be used to fund substance abuse treatment, community supervision services, and victim services. HotSpot probation initiative involves police officers, probation agents, neighbors, and social work professionals in community supervision teams. These teams provide increased monitoring of offenders through home visits and drug testing and work with offenders to ease reentry. Targeting area needs is an approach suggested by some experts who suggest caseloads be organized around area needs rather than client needs. Probationers' residences are concentrated in certain locations, so probation officers can acquire a working knowledge of community issues. Specialized probation is another approach where probation officers would focus on probationers who have all committed one specific type of crime rather than working with a mixed bag of offenses. Private probation involves contracting with companies that for a fee engage in many typical probation activities. By utilizing private probation for low-risk offenders, state probation departments can commit more resources to high-risk offenders. The threat of swift and sure punishment that is somewhat less than a full revocation may help reduce rule violations. This would mean immediate punishment for any probationers found in violation of their court orders.