The criminal justice system in the United States is designed to protect the public and ensure that those who have committed a crime are brought to justice. Probation is one of the many tools available to prosecutors and judges to achieve this goal.
You or someone you love may have committed a crime in Connecticut and is in violation of their probation. In the following article, our experts will closely examine the main advantages and disadvantages of probation so you can get a better understanding of the concept.
What are the pros of probation?
Probation can be an effective tool for keeping nonviolent offenders out of prison and giving them a chance to turn their lives around. Here are some of the main pros of probation:
1. Probation can be less expensive than prison
This practice is cost-effective as it allows the government to spend less if the criminal is released on probation. Also, it allows for better use of funds that would be otherwise used on the offender in prison.
2. Supporting your family and maintaining a job
Probation allows offenders to remain in their community and continue working and supporting their families, assuming the conviction doesn’t cost them their job. However, even in such a scenario, the individual can still go out and seek employment elsewhere.
3. Opportunity for reformation
Probation provides structure and support that can help offenders stay out of trouble and turn their lives around. Instead of turning to a life of crime, offenders are given an opportunity to prevent themselves from turning into hardened criminals.
4. It remains confidential
When someone is out on probation, most people will not be privy to such information. The offender can maintain a regular schedule without the fear of people finding out about their situation. Unless someone does a background check or searches public records, nobody will know that the offender is on probation.
What are the cons of probation?
While probation brings many advantages to offenders, it also has its drawbacks. Here are the main disadvantages:
1. Challenging to manage
Probation can be challenging to manage, especially for those with limited resources and support systems. Likewise, adjusting to life outside of prison can be tricky without a steady flow of income and supporting family and social systems to guide the offender through obstacles of daily life routines.
2. Offenders not following the rules
While an offender is on probation, they will be required to follow a strict set of rules. There will be no room for ignorance or not understanding what is required of them. Violating the terms of probation can result in serious consequences, including imprisonment.
3. Taking it light on criminals
Some offenders may view probation as a “slap on the wrist” and not take it seriously. Probation is viewed by many as a lack of punishment. This leads to an increase in the crime rate since no heavy sentence is directed to the offenders.
4. Probation is longer than a jail sentence
If you were to ask most people, they would agree that probation is better than jail time. However, probation typically ends up lasting significantly longer than a straight jail sentence. For example, someone convicted of intoxicated driving for the first time might be looking at 30 days in jail or 24 months of probation.
Who can I turn to if I’m facing a violation of probation in Connecticut?
BailCo Bail Bonds offers convenient and affordable bail bond services to clients in Connecticut. Whether you are near Hartford County or anywhere across the state, our dedicated bail bond agents are at your service around the clock. They’ll walk you through the entire process and assist you with understanding the probation officer-offender relationship. Reach out to our team today and let us know how we can help!