Advantages of Probation and Prison system Assignment - 2

Advantages of Probation and Prison system - Assignment Example It is traced back in Boston in the 1700s when the prisoners were taken home by John Augustus as an alternative to the issue of incarceration. Later on, Massachusetts authorized Boston to hire a probation officer. By the end of the ninetieth century, probation was widely practiced all over the world. Parole refers to the temporary or permanent release of a certain prisoner before completion of their prison sentences once they promise to be of good behavior. There are various differences between parole and probation. First of all, probation is that form of a criminal sentence without having to serve time. The offender remains in the setting of a community instead of serving time in prison. On the other hand, parole is an early supervised release from jail. An individual serves jail time for a while and before their jail time is over, they are released either permanently or temporary if they promise to be of good behavior. It allows a high level of flexibility in the handling of various criminal offenders. It permits the judges to make decisions about the ability of an individual to function in a society. It is also a system where an individual is given a second chance to change and allows individuals to redeem themselves. It still represents an incursion that the state undertakes on individuals. The system has also been criticized by too many people on it thus being seen as detrimental to societies and individuals. It also criticized to give prisoners freedom when they should be in jail. Parolee might repeat the offenses he was incarcerated for. The inability of the parolee to survive due to lack of employment or a home. It also requires frequently involvement by the criminal justice for a period of time. One case that impacted on probation and parole was a case of Gagnon V. Scarpelli in 1973. He was serving a probation sentence for armed robbery in the state of Wisconsin.