Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies

College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago  

Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies

                                                             CORR 210                                      

                                                       Parole Model

                                                      Michele Sheppard- Rose

                                                     Student No. 00037203

                                                      Final Essay.                                      

Parole Model- Vision to Restoration.

Although the words probation and parole are sometime used interchangeably on many occasions, they are totally different. Both are concerned with giving second chances to persons who have run afoul of the law. Parole is “the release of a prison inmate prior to the expiration of sentence by a board authorised to make such a decision” (Abadinsky 2012). Upon release the offender who is called a parolee is placed under the supervision of a court appointed officer, for a designated period of time. These officers are known as a parole officer. Parole is seen to be a rehabilitative measure, and is done after a period of prison time is served, parole seek to give the offender a chance to be reintegrated back into society. After the parolee is released, there are conditions which must be adhered to in order for freedom to be maintained, these conditions may take the forms of curfews, drug rehabilitation programmes, random drug testing. A failure to adhere to any of the conditions may lead to a revocation of parole, and the reminder of the prison term will have to be served.

Though similar in its intention of second chances Probation is “A community punishment that

requires the offender to comply with certain court ordered conditions. (Abadinsky 2012). Having mandatory conditions like parole, and an officer appointed by the court, any sentence handed down by the judge is served in the community, and not in incarceration. If any breach is detected, probation can be revoked ant the prison reinstated.

The focus of this paper is to present a model of parole that can hopefully help to establish and successfully modernise the correctional systems, to which we have been accustomed. There are two types of parole models, the Independent model and the consolidated model. In the Independent model “a parole board is responsible for making release and revocation determinations and for supervising persons released on parole,(and good time)  it is independent of any state agency. While the Consolidation model of parole is” an autonomous panel within a        

  department that also administers correctional institutions. The board makes release and revocation decisions, but supervision of persons released on parole (and good time) is under the direction of the commissioner of corrections.(Abadinsky 2012).

The model I believe would work would be the Independent model, since this system is not associated with the state and decisions made would not be challenged by authorises. This type of model can only be achieved, by proper staffing, and hiring the right persons would be critical to the model success. The individuals should have the experience and also possess the technical skill to operate free of bias. Selection to the Parole Board would be based on both merit and appointment. The merit system will be in the form of an exam, and performance on that exam would be of essential importance, along with this exam a Degree would be a pre-requisite.

 The degree should be in any of the social sciences or criminal justice. The individuals wishing to take the role as Parole Officers, would also have the same system of merit and appointment, former and or retired members of  law enforcement agencies and by extension correction agencies, with working  knowledge and experience of the criminal justice system would be an asset, along with an Associate Degree or higher. In addition, those successful individuals must be able to, multitask, work in stressful environments and conditions and be able to work flexible hours. Successful applicants would be placed on a probationary period of six months, while being supervised by a senior officer. After the period of probation, an evaluation will be done by the chairperson of the parole board to determine job status.

The function of the parole officer is essential to the success of the parole system as well as its parolees. The officers will be totally responsible for the maintenance of all cases and parolees under their charge, they are to ensure that the conditions of their release are adhered to and if any breach is detected or occur it be dealt with urgency, to determine if revocation is needed. All officers must adhere to the stick guide lines laid down by the parole board. There must not be  any exchange of funds, or accepting of gifts from either side. There is to be no personal relationship between an officer, parolee of the family members of the parolee.

All matters of information must be handled with discretion; this would make for a smooth transition back into the community. Any officer found to be in violation of the rules, after proper investigation will be suspended and or terminated from the position. Failure to report a fellow officer, knowingly involved in illicit activities or illegal actions of a client while on parole, or the falsifying of documents to obtain gifts, privileges or revocation of parole will result in termination, as this will secure the integregity and independence of the parole board.

The emphasis of the independent model is to make sure the board is truly free and from corruption and corrupt practice as well as biases of the correction facilities or institutions.

The Board shall receive a n operations budget from the judicial arm of the state, thus making them accountable and answerable when methods of operation s are in dispute.

 All officers must maintain their paperwork in a timely manner on every parolee in their charge. Field visits should be taken in the first instance, to the client’s place of residence, in the first 48hrs of release; this is to observe that a stable place of residence has been established and to access the environment the parolee is going into, in case assistance is required. Another field visit should when gainful employment is obtained, to ensure the legitimacy of the work and also if the parolee is changing to a new job if termination occurs. A fleet of vehicles maintained by the board shall be used during the hours of legitimate business, to attend court, and do field visits.  Notice must be given to a superior and an accompaniment is required when making field visits. When known “hot spots”   are to be visited , officer must report to the district police station, for an escort and security detail or give information that  officers are in the area to visit their client , this will ensure a secure environment. Senior officers would be precept and will accompany junior officers and case workers on field visits in areas known as “hot spots”, and will ensure that reports are written up in a timely manner and presented for review before filing. Officers in that range shall also ensure that all court support service staff  , whose duty is to act as part of the pre- trial services and will ensure that due process is followed when revocation of parole is necessary are aware of trial dates and they  must work  in tandem with case management workers. Case service workers must be from the social services background and will help with placement, in programs, halfway houses, employment and managing the offenders placed on parole, to ensure that the conditions lay down by the parole board.