NCJ Number
43231
Journal
CORRECTIONS MAGAZINES Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1977) Pages: 56-59
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE MERITS AND DRAWBACKS OF THE PAROLE SUPERVISION SYSTEM ARE PRESENTED IN THIS ARTICLE. AN EXAMINATION IS MADE OF PAROLE SUPERVISION IN THREE STATES WHICH HAVE ADOPTED DETERMINATE SENTENCES.
Abstract
CRITICS OF PAROLE SUPERVISION CAN BE FOUND ON BOTH SIDES OF PRISON BARS: OFFICIALS AND SOME PAROLE AGENTS FEEL THAT THE SYSTEM IS TOO COSTLY AND NEITHER ASSISTS THE PAROLEE NOR PROTECTS THE PUBLIC, WHILE INMATES CONSIDER PAROLE SUPERVISION TO BE AN EXTENSION OF PUNISHMENT, A 'HELLISH LIMBO.' WITH THE INSTITUTION OF DETERMINATE SENTENCING, CALIFORNIA AND INDIANA HAVE RADICALLY ALTERED THEIR PAROLE SUPERVISION SYSTEMS, AND MAINE HAS ABOLISHED IT COMPLETELY. CALIFORNIA'S NEW SENTENCING LAW SHIFTS THE PAROLE EMPHASIS FROM SUPERVISION AND SURVEILLANCE TO SERVICES, AND LIMITS THE PAROLE TERM TO ONE YEAR. MOST PAROLE FUNCTIONS IN MAINE ARE PRESERVED THROUGH SUCH PROGRAMS AS HOME WORK-RELEASE AND FURLOUGH, WHICH REQUIRE COMMUNITY SUPERVISION, BUT THE SYSTEM HAS LOST THE ABILITY TO KEEP TRACK OF A RELEASED INMATE. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PAROLE SUPERVISION IN GENERAL IS WIDELY DISPUTED, ALTHOUGH SOME RESEARCH STUDIES HAVE UPHELD THE SYSTEM AS SLIGHTLY MORE EFFECTIVE THAN STRAIGHT RELEASE FROM PRISON.