Department of Criminal Justice California State University - Bakersfield CRJU 100

1. Department of Criminal Justice California State University - Bakersfield CRJU 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice Dr. Abu-Lughod, Reem Ali Corrections in the Community

2. Intro: • Why corrections? Why not imprison all violators of the law? Space available, etc… • CJ has multiple goals • 1) Incapacitation: although inmates cannot commit crimes against innocent in soc they attack other inmates • 2) retribution: punishing offenders • 3) Rehabilitation: treatment may fail. Alternatives to prison

3. COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS MOVEMENT: • Made assumptions about nature of crime and benefits of using community resources to address problems of crime • 1) prison: artificial society. Conformity not always accomplished • 2) prisons do not provide enough to prepare inmates for responsibility • 3) rehabilitation increase in community than in prisons because of resources • 4) support networks in community from family/friends • 5) offender financially support his/her family after getting a job • 6) less expensive from state perspective • 7) state decides which offender to release depending on how dangerous they are • 8) adequate number of probation/parole offenders to supervise offenders • Is community corrections good/sufficient for most part? YES

4. DIVERSION • Diverted to alternative programs • Labeling theory • Good with first time offenders/minor offenders particularly for juveniles PROBATION • Given the chance to stay out of prison by promising to be good • They have terms/rules/regulations set by judge…community service, refraining from use of alcohol, therapy, reporting to probation to probation offenders

5. 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 • 3) how D.A. views probation? • Also as a victory/offenders out of prison • Some compromises

6. 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

7. 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 • 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. PAROLE • 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

11. 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

12. WHEN TO PAROLE? There are 3 competing principles: • Political: how much time should offenders spend in prison to satisfy society • Rehabilitation issue: medical model • Limited number of prison beds To make a rational decision, certain factors are taken into consideration:

13. 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

14. REENTRY AND MAKING IT • 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

15. 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