US: Probation, Parole Feed Mass Incarceration Crisis

Read the report: www.hrw.org/no...
(New York, NY, July 31, 2020) - Probation and parole are promoted as alternatives to incarceration that help people get back on their feet, but instead feed bloated jail and prison populations in the United States, Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said in a joint report released today.
The 225-page report, “Revoked: How Probation and Parole Feed Mass Incarceration in the United States,” finds that supervision - probation and parole - drives high numbers of people, disproportionately those who are Black and brown, right back to jail or prison, while in large part failing to help them get needed services and resources. In states examined in the report, people are often incarcerated for violating the rules of their supervision or for low-level crimes, and receive disproportionate punishment following proceedings that fail to adequately protect their fair trial rights.
An article featuring Vincent Schiraldi, a one-time critic of the criminal legal system who became New York City’s probation commissioner and helped reform the system, is available at:
www.hrw.org/ne...
Illustrations and animations by Sally Deng for Human Rights Watch
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[@Rick_Riff]

Ive always said no to probation, ill do the time. If they want a sentence and probation i say no, just put me in jail. Now i never faced serious time, im sure id consider probation if im looking at a significant sentence.

[@Brad-ey4hb]

4.5 million people and counting..... that's a large voting demographic if organized. You can double or quadruple that number if you include the returning citizens family and friends.

[@nadirhakeem8162]

courts

[@nadirhakeem8162]

criminal google you are still blocking MY videos.

[@jeffderemer5161]

As a seasoned officer with three decades of experience, I feel compelled to correct some misconceptions about the nature of probation, especially as it pertains to state and federal levels. It's a common mistake to conflate probation with social work, but in reality, they are distinctly different fields, particularly in places like Florida where I serve.
Probation, in its essence, is a form of punishment. Unlike local or juvenile probation, which might lean more towards rehabilitation and support, state and federal probation are firmly rooted in surveillance and enforcement. This distinction becomes clear when considering the tools of our trade: guns, handcuffs, and tactical vests. These are not the accouterments of social workers; they are the hallmarks of a law enforcement role focused on oversight and safety.
Our duties often lead us into the heart of criminal activity. Just this month, one of our officers seized over a kilo of cocaine, $32,000 in cash, and multiple firearms. These are not minor feats; they are significant law enforcement accomplishments, highlighting the active and often dangerous role probation officers play in crime prevention and community safety.
The notion that probation is akin to social work is not just inaccurate; it's frankly insulting to those of us in the field. We are not mere observers or counselors; we are active participants in the criminal justice system, tasked with managing some of the most challenging individuals released back into society. The reality is stark: over half of the felons we supervise commit new felonies, including serious drug offenses involving substances like fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Failed drug tests in these contexts are not trivial matters; they are felonies, indicative of deeper criminal behaviors. While social workers play a vital role in providing support and assistance, probation - particularly at the state and federal levels - is a different beast altogether. It's a role defined by vigilance, enforcement, and a commitment to public safety, far removed from the traditional realm of social work. For those seeking assistance, social workers are indeed the right call, but for those under the watchful eye of parole and probation, the expectations and responsibilities are of a wholly different nature.

[@michaelhalterman8144]

I think the point the video was trying to make was that we ask these people to become self reliant and contributing members of the public then subject them to conditions that make it impossible for them to do so.

[@HwoarangtheBoomerang]

Lost me at 0:59.
Ya'll blame the system but never the source: LBJ.
Never grace my monitor again.

[@michaelhalterman8144]

What's LBJ?

[@onetruth3162]

Then don't keep f-ing up

[@yourdedcat-qr7ln]

Land of the free eh

[@yourdedcat-qr7ln]

Land of the free eh