Rehabilitation Paper: Prison, Parole, Probation, Corrections Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive overview of rehabilitation in the prison system, exploring the definitions, origins, and evolution of rehabilitation programs. It delves into the concepts of parole, mandatory release, probation, and community corrections, defining each and contrasting their applications. The report examines the current rehabilitation options, critically analyzing the parole and probation systems, and community corrections, while discussing potential improvements and alternative solutions. It explores the biases within the current parole process, the gaps in the probation system, and the limitations of existing community corrections options. The report concludes by suggesting a hybrid system to address the shortcomings and improve the overall effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts, incorporating elements of both prison and community corrections with adequate funding and resources.

Running head: REHABILITATION PAPER 1
Rehabilitation paper
Name
Institution

REHABILITATION PAPER 2
Definition and origins of rehabilitation in prison
Rehabilitation in prison can be defined as the central goal of correctional systems to
transform inmates so as to return to a crime free lifestyle and be integrated back into the
society successfully (Reamer, 2016). Rehabilitation in prison includes various programs
consisting of educational services, substance abuse, and mental health inter alia.
Origin of rehabilitation in prison dates back to early 1900s when Wardens documented as
to whether inmates were first time offenders or repeat offenders. In 1930 a warden began to
suggest programs relating to rehabilitation and the first record of recidivism was noted down.
It should also be noted that magistrates never considered the possibility of transforming
through punishment. Since the medieval times when dungeons and torture chambers were
used, prisons have evolved to develop both elements of punishment and rehabilitation. In the
past prisons mainly aimed at reforming characters of inmates but now its focus has turned to
preventing reoffending (Philips, 2013).
Definition of parole and how it differs from mandatory release
Parole can be defined as the temporary or in some circumstance the permanent release of
inmates before the expiry of the sentence they are serving. In most cases prisoners are usually
released on condition that they will abide by various rules set. The parole usually in most
states is regulated by state law and one has to be eligible for a parole before they are released
(Gaines & Miller, 2015). There are conditions and factors considered before a prisoner is
granted parole. For one to be considered eligible for parole there is a specified period of time
that a prisoner must take to be eligible for parole.
Parole differs from mandatory release in that, mandatory release replaces the unspecified
sentence with a mathematical computation. Where one is not released on parole then they
have the opportunity to exercise their right through mandatory release which can be exercised

REHABILITATION PAPER 3
during imprisonment (Montaldo, 2018). A prisoner is given conditions that they have to abide
to during mandatory release as they await sentencing. One can apply for parole once they are
eligible while mandatory release can be applied at any moment during imprisonment.
Definition of probation and how it compares to other forms of sentencing
Probation has been defined under criminal law as duration of supervision over the criminal
as directed and ordered by the court instead of the offender serving time in prison. Probation
can also be viewed as punishment given out to an offender by the court as part of sentence
which literally means that the person does not serve a jail term (Butts, 2013). Normally in
probation, the judge usually directs the person to report to the probation officer from time to
time.
Probation compares to other forms of sentencing in a way that, probation comes along
with conditions that may regulate a person’s conduct, upon violation of the conditions the
probation can be revoked by the courts.
Probation and parole are both considered as alternatives to incarceration. Though,
probation happens prior to and frequently in place of jail or prison time, whereas parole is an
early discharge from prison. In both probation and parole, the party is overseen by officers
appointed by the court and is expected to comply with certain rules and guidelines (Carlan,
Nored & Downey, 2011)
Community corrections are utilised to regulate the conduct of offenders while keeping
them in the society while Probation aids lawbreakers by affording them a second chance in
the society to prove that they can be law abiding citizens in the society.

REHABILITATION PAPER 4
Definition and options of community corrections
Community corrections can be defined as sanctions levied on convicted adults or adjudged
juveniles that happen in a community setting especially outside of jail or prison. The
prohibitions are enforced by agencies or courts with legal authority over the adult or juvenile
lawbreakers (Koi, Uusitalo & Tuominen, 2017). Community corrections are also involved in
supervising the law breakers outside prison system, work release, and day reporting centres,
probation and parole (Hanser, 2018).
A Community Corrections Officer supervises programs that assist offenders to get a
substitute to jail time. Most community correction officers are assigned people who are either
serving parole or probation. Community corrections have various options to offenders as
offenders. An offender can choose parole or probation as an alternative to jail under
community corrections (Hanser, 2013). Community corrections have worked successfully in
some states and countries acquiring most offenders the chance to transform.
Critique the current rehabilitation options:
Is there a better solution to the current parole process?
The current parole process can be regarded as biased given that some inmates are favoured
during paroles while others are not given the same opportunity. As an alternative to
imprisonment it involves a lot of administrative duties since the court has to appoint officers
who oversees that those who serve parole do it accordingly. Therefore an option in which
everyone would be evaluated based on their character and let to go free rather than serving
parole would be much better. But this would only be possible if the court is assured that the
character of the offender has changed for the better.

REHABILITATION PAPER 5
Is there a better solution to the current probation system?
The probation system has gaps that need to be filled so that it would be more convenient
for transforming the prisoner. The main goal of imprisonment is to rehabilitate prisoners and
if probation cannot help the society to achieve the same then it less useful in the community.
More legislation and amendments should be made so as to rectify the default probation
system because going by the numbers probation has assisted very few people in transforming.
Probation does not really focus on the intentions of the offender rather it monitors the
offender without going into deeper details.
Are there better solutions than the current community corrections options?
If more alternatives to jail system are developed today than they would be far much better
community correction options; this entirely blamed on the weakness of the options that tend
to concentrate on transformation rather than preventing occurrence of crime. A hybrid system
that would combine both elements of prison and community corrections would be
recommendable as it will fill in the gaps that are existing in this particular system.
Community corrections are not allocated enough resources to help facilitate in rehabilitation
offenders. The funding of a new system would ensure that proper rehabilitation guidelines are
in place.

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References
Butts, J. (2013). Probation and Parole. Encyclopedia of Social Work.
doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.307
Carlan, P., Nored, S., & Downey, R. 2011). An Introduction to Criminal Law. Burlington,
MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Gaines, K., & Miller, R. (2015). Criminal Justice in Action: The Core. Boston, MA:
Cengage Learning.
Hanser, R. (2018). Essentials of Community Corrections. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE
Publications.
Hanser, R. (2013). Community Corrections. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Koi, A., Uusitalo, S., & Tuominen, J. (2017). Self-Control in Responsibility Enhancement
and Criminal Rehabilitation. Criminal Law and Philosophy, 12(2), 227-244.
doi:10.1007/s11572-017-9423-z
Montaldo, S. (2018). Offenders’ Rehabilitation: Towards a New Paradigm for EU
Criminal Law? European Criminal Law Review, 8(2), 223-243. doi:10.5771/2193-5505-
2018-2-223
Phillips, D. (2013). Probation and Parole. doi:10.4324/9781315877365
Reamer, F. (2016). On the Parole Board: Reflections on Crime, Punishment, Redemption,
and Justice. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.