Corrections chapter 10 ppt

Reentry into the Community

Chapter 10

The Origins of Parole

PAROLE

The conditional release of an inmate from incarceration, under supervision, after part of

the prison sentence has been served


Alexander Maconochie- developed the parole concept Classification procedure through stages of increasing

responsibility and freedom:

Strict imprisonment Labor on chain gangs Freedom within a limited area Ticket-of-leave or parole with conditional pardon Full restoration of liberty


Crofton Progress through prison and ticket-of-leave

linked

Parole included a series of conditions Report monthly to police


United States

Zebulon Brockway

Elmira Reformatory

Parole followed indeterminate sentencing

By 1900, 20 states had parole systems


By 1925, 46 states had parole systems

1910—each federal prison had a parole board (warden, medical officer, superintendent of prisons for Dept. of Justice)

U.S. Board of Parole was developed

Release from One Part of the System to Another

Most Inmates Eventually Released into Society Over three-fourths will be on parole

Parole- a form of conditional release Grace or privilege Contract of consent Custody

Release from One Part of the System to Another

Number of Adults under Parole Supervision, 1980-2007.

Discussion Question

Imagine you are an 88 year old man who has served the last 50 years in prison for a murder you committed. Your release date is upon you… how do you think you will adjust to society?

Release Mechanisms

Methods of Release from State Prison

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Release Mechanisms

Discretionary Release- discretion of parole board with boundaries set by the sentence and law

Mandatory Release- inmate served time equal to the sentence minus “good time” as specified by law

Expiration Release- released from further correctional supervision and cannot be returned to prison for their current offense

Release Mechanisms

Probation Release- release from incarceration to probation supervision as required by the sentencing judge

Reinstatement Release- offenders return to parole after serving a time in prison for a parole violation

Other Conditional Releases- used to get around mandatory sentencing and release to community under supervision

The Decision to Release

Procedure Eligibility

Sentence Statutory criteria Conduct prior to incarceration Often minimum sentence minus good time Parole board discretion One-third to one-half of the maximum sentence


Release Criteria Normally include at least eight factors

Offense & inmate attitude towards offense Prior criminal record Attitude toward family, victim, authority Institutional adjustment/participation/progress History of community adjustment Physical, mental, and emotional health Insight into causes of past criminal conduct Adequacy of parole plan


Release Criteria Discretionary

Moral judgments Culpability Adequacy of sentence DNA Legal and ethical issues


Structuring Parole Decisions Parole guidelines

Three criteria Substantial observance of institutional rules Release will not devalue seriousness of offense or

promote disrespect for the law Release will not jeopardize public welfare


The Impact of Release Mechanisms

Shorten a sentence

Encourages plea bargaining

Mitigates the harshness of the penal code

Reduce prison populations

Discussion Question

Discuss the release of inmates, take into consideration that for many violent crimes, such as rape and murder, inmates serve only a portion of their sentence. Do you feel parole is fair to the victims of crime? Or is it a necessary evil? What factors do you consider when thinking about this issue?

Release to the Community

Second Chance Act of 2007 Provides federal grants to states and

communities to support reentry initiatives Employment Housing Substance abuse Mental health treatment Children and family services


Community Supervision Conditions of release- 80% of inmates are

released under conditions Abstain from alcohol

Stay away from undesirable associates

Maintain good work habits

Do not leave the community without permission


Revocation Parole can be revoked for two reasons

Committing a new crime Violating conditions of parole (technical violation)

In practice Usually requires persistent non-compliance or Arrest on a serious charge

Supreme Court requires a two-stage parole-revocation hearing


Revocation Percentage of Prison Admissions Who are Parole Violators

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Discussion Question

What if you were recently release from prison on parole, and the only job that pays a salary you can live on requires you to attend college and earn an associate’s degree in accounting; is this something you really want to do? You have no money and you cannot get student loans. Would you consider a life of crime to earn money illegally to pay for school to better yourself down the road?

Agents of Community Supervision

Parole Officer Surveillance

Restriction Enforcement Revocation

Assistance Jobs Families Human service agencies

The Offender’s Experience of Postrelease Life

The Strangeness of Reentry Changes

Unfamiliar freedom

Supervision and Surveillance Not really free

Rules to follow and authority to heed

The Problem of Unmet Personal Needs Education Money Job Drug and alcohol problems Mental health Housing


Barriers to Success

Civil disabilities- right to vote/hold public office

Employment

Conviction viewed as untrustworthy Statutory bars on specific jobs

Expungement

Pardon


Barriers to Success Civil disabilities

Right to vote and hold public office “War on Drugs”

Access to public assistance and food stamps Living in public housing Having a driver’s license Being a foster parent or adopting children Receiving student loans


Discussion Question

Discuss if it’s fair to punish inmates once they are released with additional sanctions, such as voting rights and student loans.

The Elements of Successful Reentry

Pardons serve 3 main purposes:

Remedy a miscarriage of justice Remove the stigma of a conviction Mitigate a penalty


Four Factors necessary for successful reentry:

Get substance abuse under control.

Get a job.

Develop a support group of family and friends.

Get a sense of “who I am.”


Reentry Courts Judicial supervision Emphasis on involvement of judicial and

correctional officials in Prerelease needs of prisoner Linkages to family Social services Housing Employment

Corrections chapter 10 ppt

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