NCJ Number
171614
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 61 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1997) Pages: 93-102
Date Published
1997
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This overview of the second 25 years (1950-1975) of the Federal probation system focuses on the trends that resulted in the maturing and professionalizing of the system, with attention to a number of significant factors.
Abstract
Over the period examined there has been a significant growth in the use of probation, such that what was initially a minority disposition has become the most common sentence. There has also been a series of conceptual changes regarding the nature of probation and parole, both moving from a jurisprudence of unfettered judicial and parole board discretions toward systems of judicial and administrative rights permeated by due process controls. The intercession of the courts in the definition of certain due process and civil rights of prisoners has flowed over into the areas of parole and probation. Probation and parole practices have been both complicated and altered by the controversy over disclosure versus confidentiality of presentence reports and the emerging trends in criminal pretrial procedures encompassing plea bargaining, bail selection, deferred prosecution or judgment, and a series of rules and practices that circumscribe the imposition and nature of probation and parole conditions. The past two decades have also seen the addition of a remarkable array of new resources and programs. Of major significance has been the expansion of sentencing alternatives available to Federal judges. A strong tradition of in-service training, combined with sound education qualifications has created an outstanding service. 38 notes