NCJ Number
52988
Journal
Prison Journal Volume: 58 Issue: 2 Dated: (AUTUMN-WINTER 1978) Pages: 38-42
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE VALUES OF AND PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONCEPT OF INTERNATIONAL PROBATION ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
INTERNATIONAL PROBATION CAN PROVIDE FULL SERVICE TO ALIEN DEFENDANTS APPEARING BEFORE THE COURT OF ANY NATION, PROVIDE FOR ADEQUATE PRESENTENCING INFORMATION, ALLOW INTELLIGENT DECISIONS TO BE MADE ABOUT SENTENCING, ENCOURAGE THE MEANINGFUL USE OF PROBATION AND DEPORTATION, PROVIDE FOR PREVENTIVE EFFORTS AGAINST RECIDIVISM AND COMMUNITY PROTECTION, AND ENABLE REHABILITATIVE EFFORTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED. THESE VALUES EXTEND BEYOND THE NEEDS OF BOTH COURTS AND DEFENDANTS. BENEFITS OF INTERNATIONAL PROBATION CAN ALSO BE DEMONSTRATED IN TERMS OF ECONOMY, PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT OF THE HIGH COST OF IMPRISONMENT IN CONTRAST TO PROBATION. AN INTERNATIONAL PROBATION PROGRAM IS CAPABLE OF RECOGNIZING THE NEED FOR INDIVIDUALITY IN SENTENCING AS OPPOSED TO CATEGORICAL SENTENCING FOR SPECIFIC OFFENSES. PROBATION VIOLATIONS CAN BE HANDLED ADEQUATELY ON AN INTERNATIONAL BASIS. PROCEDURES FOR AN INTERNATIONAL PROBATION PROGRAM HAVE BEEN DEVISED BY AN OFFICER OF THE U.S. PROBATION OFFICE FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA. THEY DEAL WITH PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION, THE RECEIPT OF AND RESPONSE TO PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION INFORMATION, AND REGULATIONS ON CONDITIONS OF PROBATION IF IT IS GRANTED. CONFERENCES AND TRAINING SESSIONS ARE PLANNED TO EVALUATE THE VISABILITY OF INTERNATIONAL PROBATION AND TO COMPARE PROBATION SYSTEMS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES. INTERNATIONAL PROBATION MUST MOVE FROM A CONCEPTUAL STATUS TO A FUNCTIONAL PROGRAM IN ORDER TO ASSIST COURTS FACED WITH INCREASING NUMBERS OF CASES INVOLVING ALIEN DEFENDANTS, TO PREVENT THE TRAUMA OF UNNECESSARY IMPRISONMENT, AND TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE WORLD COMMUNITY IN CONTROLLING INTERNATIONAL CRIME. (DEP)