Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/2474/-1/133/
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The Anguilla Probation Service Part 2
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UNDERSTANDING ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION.
“Alternative sentencing” is the buzzword for an increasingly visible movement in the criminal justice system from custodial toward non-custodial sentences. This movement has been inspired by overcrowded and non-rehabilitative prisons. More and more magistrates and judges are beginning to work with prosecutors and defense lawyers to impose non-traditional sentences.
WHAT IS PROBATION?
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Jocelyn Johnson-Carty Chief Probation Officer
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Probation, also referred to as “Community Corrections,” is an all encapsulating term whereby defendants on order from the Courts are supervised in the community by a probation officer over a given period. Since it is not feasible either economically or socially to imprison all offenders, probation provides a cost effective alternative in offender management.
The Magistrate or Judge has several disposal options which seek to address and curtail offending behaviour, in addition to assisting with the re-integration of the offender into society. Examples of such disposals include but are not limited to:
● Probation Order – where the offender is generally required to stay out of trouble.
● Community Service Order – where the offender is required to perform unpaid, useful work for the benefit of the community.
● Combination Order – where the offender has conditions of probation order and a community service order in one.
Special conditions may also be included in a probation order. Examples of special conditions can include but are not limited to:
● Employment and/or education
● Fines
● Anger management
● Counselling
HOW DOES COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS WORK?
The concept of community corrections is one of rational thinking. Probation Departments assist the Court not only by helping to identify suitable candidates for probation, but also by recommending appropriate sanctions to be imposed on the offender, including but not limited to fines, restitution and community service. The department also helps to identify those persons who are poor risks for probation by providing information to the Court to justify their removal from the community. Once probation is ordered, the Probation Officer designs an appropriate supervision plan for each offender.
The supervision plan for the probationer generally adheres to the following format:
First, the major factors often associated with criminal behavior are identified education, drug addiction, anger management, employment etc.
Second, community based programs are then structured with key components that target such factors.
Third, offenders on either probation/parole, undergo treatment, some with specific instructions from the court/parole board, which indicate the type and amount of treatment they should receive.
Ultimately, the desired outcome of community corrections is to ensure that, upon completing the program, ex-offenders will be less likely to continue any criminal behavior, thus aiding in crime reduction.
The general feeling among many people, though, is that probation is a “slap on the wrist.” This is not so. Probation requires that the probationer be under Intensive Supervision whereby service delivery programs are executed and operated in a highly structured environment. Oversight and control are combined in an effort toward helping probationers overcome real or perceived obstacles and limitations.
The principal aim of any Probation System is to divert criminal offenders from prison, reduce their re-offending and re-integrate them into society. This is done by helping offenders learn new behaviours and to deal with problems associated with offending.
Anguilla Probation Service
Herbert’s Commercial Centre
Suites 1-3
The Valley
Tel. # 476-7343