NCJ Number
198979
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 65 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2003 Pages: 34-36
Date Published
February 2003
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the importance of probation and parole supervision in the community corrections arena.
Abstract
After discussing the negative impacts of budget constraints on the funding of probation and parole departments, the author argues that with probation and parole representing one of the most economically feasible forms of corrections, corrections administrations need to consider budgetary relief for these departments. Referring to the probation and parole system as a “savior” for helping corrections officials to move offenders from the expensive environment of prisons to the inexpensive environment of community supervision when faced with budget shortfalls, the author claims that nearly 600,000 offenders are released on parole each year, with this number expected to increase due to the high costs of incarceration. Focusing on an economic approach to corrections, the author suggests that community supervision when coupled with treatment for afflictions such as substance abuse, reduces recidivism further reducing prison costs. for a variety of reasons, the timing is right for prison officials and administrators to focus their attentions on community supervision and on supporting probation and parole departments for economically sound, effective ways to reduce offender recidivism.