ITT Technical Institute Online
There are many advantages to putting offenders on probation and parole. One advantage is the cost, the average inmate costs 20,000 a year to house, and up to 60,000 in a super max. The cost to keep someone on probation is 3,400 a year that is a big difference. Another advantage is the space. Prisons are becoming overcrowded very quickly. The offenders that are placed on parole or supervision are generally no violent criminals; they may have had drug charges or something along those lines. However in some cases violent offenders may be released after careful consideration has been made. By making the most of parole and probation, they are opening more beds in the prison system for violent offenders. …show more content…
A major disadvantage is the way that the community may look at the offender. They may get negative attitudes from society because they do not believe that the offender should be out, or that the offender may reoffend. Job searching is also a drawback. If you are on parole or probation it is required that you have gainful employment, meaning a job that pays you. The offender needs to make known to the employer of their criminal record, along with the status of their probation/parole. This in turn has people on probation/parole working at lower paying jobs. Although some states have offered a tax credit to companies that employ people on probation or parole. An additional disadvantage is the rules and regulation that one must follow. Many persons placed on probation or paroles have a hard time adjusting to the strictly controlled lifestyle. Rules vary from agency to agency, from crime to crime, but some rules may include; having a curfew, living in certain areas, having certain friends, and even decorating for holidays such as