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Probation and Approaches1Running head: PROBATION AND APPROACHESProbation and ApproachesJake J. Koppenhaver Introduction to the Criminal Justice SystemDr. Jerry GriffinJuly 18, 2005
 
Probation and Approaches2Probation and ApproachesAccording to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2004 there were a total of 2,845,170 prisoners in our nation’s jails and prisons
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. That is almost three million incarcerated that citizens pay for through taxes. Each year more and more offenders are convicted of all types of crimes,and a major issue in our criminal justice system is overcrowded facilities. Enter the Probationsystem: Those who are convicted of lesser offenses and not deemed immediate threats to othersare released back into society under the supervision of the courts.Those on probation are instructed to check in with an appointed Probation Officer or Deputy at regular intervals, along with other orders that may include mandatory drug treatmentand testing, not consuming alcohol, not being allowed in certain establishments or around certain people, etc. The program is designed to deal with those who do not need prison time, who havecommitted crimes such as drug possession, petty theft, vandalism, etc. These offenders aregenerally not a major threat to society. Some jurisdictions have had much success with this program. For instance, in Lafayette, IN, out of 1,837 probation cases in 2004 only 12 have beendischarged for new crimes this quarter, and 15 for probation violations
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. Other areas have not been so successful: In some counties in Florida, out of 1,497 new cases, 751 probation violationswere filed
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.Many safeguards are in place to try to prevent offenders from committing more crimeswhile they are on probation. Examples would be drug testing for narcotics offenders, electronicmonitoring for those on house arrest, Ignition Interlock Devices (a portable breathalyzer requiring an alcohol test before starting a vehicle) for those convicted of DUI, or internet
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 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/jails.htm and http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/prisons.html
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http://www.tippecanoe.in.gov/probation/division.asp?fDD=18-124
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http://www.jud10.org/CountyCourt/Probation/Reports/stats01-05.htm
 
Probation and Approaches3monitoring for released sex offenders. Individualized probation requirements are designed for each offender and usually decided on by a judge, in hopes of keeping the offender in line.In Orange County, CA, a system has been developed called the “8% Solution.”
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 Thesystem focuses on the eight percent of first time offenders in that specific county that representsfifty percent of the repeat crime in the juvenile criminal system. Identifying the youth who showsigns of being part of the eight percent is the first step, and those are juveniles who have seriousissues in the home (recent divorce, child abuse and neglect, deviant parents, sexual abuse, etc.), problems at school (truancy, poor grades, behavioral issues), drug or alcohol abuse, andindicators of delinquency such as gang involvement or repeated runaway attempts. ProbationDeputies assigned to these youth are partnered with other community centers and organizationsthat strive to make a better life for these youth so they have somewhere else to turn to vent other than crime.Personally I do believe that the probation concept can be successful, conditional on theoffender and probation requirements. Youth are known for experimentation. It’s a part of growing up, and minor trouble with the law is almost expected of today’s young people. This isin hopes they will see the error in their ways and become a responsible, law abiding adult. It isgreatly dependant on the youth though, as we all make our own decisions, but giving alternativesto crime and jail can help them make the right decisions.
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 http://www.ocgov.com/Probation/home/index.asp
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