Transcript Department of Criminal Justice California State University - Bakersfield CRJU 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice Dr.

Department of Criminal Justice
California State University - Bakersfield
CRJU 100
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Dr. Abu-Lughod, Reem Ali
Corrections in the
Community
Intro:
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Why corrections? Why not imprison all violators of
the law? Space available, etc…
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CJ has multiple goals
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1) Incapacitation: although inmates cannot commit
crimes against innocent in soc they attack other
inmates
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2) retribution: punishing offenders
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3) Rehabilitation: treatment may fail. Alternatives to
prison
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS MOVEMENT:
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Made assumptions about nature of crime and benefits of using
community resources to address problems of crime
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1) prison: artificial society. Conformity not always accomplished
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2) prisons do not provide enough to prepare inmates for
responsibility
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3) rehabilitation increase in community than in prisons because of
resources
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4) support networks in community from family/friends
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5) offender financially support his/her family after getting a job
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6) less expensive from state perspective
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7) state decides which offender to release depending on how
dangerous they are
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8) adequate number of probation/parole offenders to supervise
offenders
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Is community corrections good/sufficient for most part? YES
DIVERSION
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Diverted to alternative programs
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Labeling theory
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Good with first time offenders/minor offenders
particularly for juveniles
PROBATION
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Given the chance to stay out of prison by promising to be
good
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They have terms/rules/regulations set by
judge…community service, refraining from use of
alcohol, therapy, reporting to probation to probation
offenders
HOW IS PROBATION VIEWED?
 1) How offender views probation?
 Good deal, be home, work
 But also has restrictions, any violations will send them back
to prison
 2)
prosecutor views probation?
 Main concern is to win case
 Probation is way of plea bargaining
 Avoid costly trials
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how D.A. views probation?
 Also as a victory/offenders out of prison
 Some compromises
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4) how judges views probation?
Under pressure from public to punish offenders
In some way, probation means that offenders did not
escape punishment
Can add more restrictions
5) how reformers view probation?
Gives offenders chance for treatment and community
service
Avoiding prison treatment
Teach them beneficial skills
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6) how politicians views probation?
On one hand they want the get tough approach but do not
provide funds to build more prisons, hire more officers
PROBATION OFFICERS AT WORK
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In courts, in community, with clients
3 universal functions:
1) INVESTIGATION: gathering info, interviews, presentence
investigation PSI to help judge in sentencing. During PSI Pos
collect more info 1) legal history (report on crime committed and
prior record), 2) social history (education, family history, work)
2) SUPERVISION
 Once on probation, PO will advise them of what
they’re required to do
 How to report, when, restrictions on changing jobs,
residences
 Control of their life
 Because increase caseloads, can’t supervise all
actions
 TWO goals to supervision: punishment and
surveillance
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ISP is a form of supervision that requires frequent
meetings between the client and PO
SERVICE:
Help people/offenders, but some obstacles such
as increase caseloads, offenders not wanting to
get help and limited/scarce resources…may all
result
PAROLE
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Early release from prison
Maconochie’s “marks system,” Crofton’s ticket of leave and
Brockway’s 3-grade program….all focused on reintegration
back into society
Probation and parole not the same
1) PROBATION: offender placed under community
corrections supervision instead of prison, while PAROLE is
early release granted after serving a part of the sentence
2) GOVERNING AUTHORITY
In probations the judge is the primary decision maker
In parole, it’s the executive branch
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3) parolees: usually committed serious crimes and
may not have family support, therefore different risk
factors
Community ties and social needs
4) officers have different responsibilities. In some
states parole officers carry firearms
WHEN TO PAROLE?
There are 3 competing principles:
1)
Political: how much time should offenders spend
in prison to satisfy society
2)
Rehabilitation issue: medical model
3)
Limited number of prison beds
To make a rational decision, certain factors are taken
into consideration:
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1) time served: parole board doesn’t have
unlimited discretion in releasing offenders
2) prison adjustment” good time to reduce
sentence or “meritorious time” for completing GED
3) preparole plan with family, etc…and what can be
done
4) offender interview by parole board to get a feel
on how sincere the offender is
5) victim impact statements: how much they have
suffered. This will also affect the parole board
decision
REENTRY AND MAKING IT
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To prepare them to get back into the community/soc
There are obstacles to re-entry no matter how successful prog is
1) prisonization: rigid rules in social system, do not learn to make decisions,
interpersonal skills/getting along
2) weakened social ties: people in soc have moved on, role has changed, or
replaced as father, husband, etc…. Anomie and social alienation
3) stigmatization: lifetime stigma, depending on jurisdiction, lose right to vote,
public employment….”master status” becomes overwhelming
INTERMEDIATE SANCTIONS: SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES:
1) INTENSIVE SUPERVISION PROBATION: more supervision for more serious
offenders, ways/tools available for probation officers to aid in detecting
wrongdoing
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A) DRUG TESTING: urine sample for analysis, sometimes offenders
mask drug use by eating certain foods, waiting to dilute drugs in body,
give someone else’s, etc…
But sometimes offender will ask to test hair strands instead of urine and
supervise offender, monitor tests
B) HOUSE ARREST AND ELECTRONIC MONITORING: good because
stay home, social ties, maintain job. EM: bracelet/anklet attached to
ankle, monitors movement. Good/bad?
C) FINES: depends on crime committed, pay for supervision for
probation (bad for poor), pay according to how much they pay
D) BOOT CAMPS: military style, discipline, “scared straight”….identity,
discipline, efficient, punishment
Another program that implements fear is “shock probation” where judges
and probation officers jail/incarcerate offender for 30-90 days then
release them…good/bad?
E) JAILS