Probation Overview

THERE MAY BE SOME CLASSMATES THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PURPOSE AND FUNCTION OF PROBATION IS. IN THIS POST, I WILL ELABORATE ON THE FUNCTIONS OF PROBATION. 

THE FIRST AND FOREMOST PART OF THEIR JOB IS TO WORK WITH THE OFFENDER IN THE COMMUNITY TO PREVENT THEM COMMITTING ADDITIONAL CRIMES. PROBATION OFFICERS DO THIS BY WORKING WITH OFFENDERS AND PROVIDING THEM WITH SKILLS THAT WILL HELP THEM STAY OUT OF JAIL. THE GOAL OF PROBATION IS TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM.

WHILE PROBATION OFFICERS ARE NOT POLICE OFFICERS, THEY ARE STILL CONSIDERED TO BE LAW ENFORCEMENT. PROBATION OFFICERS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE SAME PHYSICAL TEST POLICE OFFICERS TAKE. ON A DAILY BASIS THEY MEET WITH CLIENTS, CONDUCT DRUG TESTS, DO HOME/EMPLOYMENT VISITS AND ARE ABLE TO ARREST OFFENDER IF PROBATION IS VIOLATED.

PROBATION OFFICERS WORK CLOSELY WITH THE COURTS. IF AN OFFENDER HAS VIOLATED THE STIPULATIONS OF THEIR PROBATION, THE PROBATION OFFICER HAS TO INFORM THE COURT AND MAY BE REQUIRED TO TESTIFY. 

ANOTHER PIECE OF INFORMATION TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT PROBATION OFFICERS IS...THEY ARE DIFFERENT FROM PAROLE OFFICERS. PROBATION OFFICERS WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO JAIL OR SENTENCED PROBATION AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO GOING TO JAIL. PAROLE OFFICERS DEAL STRICTLY WITH OFFENDERS WHO HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO PRISON. 

PROBATION OFFICERS PLAY A KEY PIECE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. NOT ONLY ARE THEY GUIDING INDIVIDUALS, BUT THEY ARE OFFERING THEM SKILLS TO BETTER THEIR LIVES. 

INTRODUCTION

HELLO TCRIM 375 AND WELCOME TO MY BLOG. IN THIS BLOG I WILL BE LOOKING AT  MEN AND MASCULINITY IN PROBATION. THROUGHOUT THIS QUARTER I WILL EXAMINE THE CURRENT PROBATION SYSTEM AND THE ROLES MEN PLAY IN IT AND OFFER SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO DEVELOP THE SYSTEM. MOST PEOPLE HAVE A GENERAL IDEA OF WHAT PROBATION IS, BUT NOT MANY REALIZE THE CURRENT RATIO OF MEN ON PROBATION AND THE PROBLEMS IN THE SYSTEM.

WITH MY CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION I WILL BE STUDYING THIS QUARTER, I HOPE TO EXPLORE AND OFFER INSIGHT INTO THE ROLE MEN AND MASCULINITY PLAY IN THE PROBATION SYSTEM. MY GOAL IS TO NOT ONLY BECOME MORE EDUCATED ON THIS TOPIC, BUT TO SHARE MY KNOWLEDGE WITH THE REST OF THE CLASS. I ALSO HOPE TO SPARK SOME IDEAS OF CHANGES IN THE PROBATION SYSTEM.