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From Supervision to Opportunity: Reimagining Probation and Parole

Author

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  • David J. Harding
  • Bruce Western
  • Jasmin A. Sandelson

Abstract

Across a variety of measures of safety and rehabilitation, our current systems of parole and probation are failing. Research shows that community supervision fails to reduce crime; traps its subjects in cycles of criminal justice involvement; is excessively punitive; and creates widespread harm to individuals, families, and communities—all while failing to significantly contribute to the social and economic integration of those under its control. We argue for a wholesale reform of community supervision, including the abandonment of current monitoring and control functions, and the repurposing of resources into systems of support for the hundreds of thousands of people leaving prison and jail every year. We also provide an overview to the articles assembled for this volume, which chart the challenges facing those on community supervision and offer a roadmap of potential policy solutions for improving the life chances of formerly incarcerated and justice-involved people.

Suggested Citation

  • David J. Harding & Bruce Western & Jasmin A. Sandelson, 2022. "From Supervision to Opportunity: Reimagining Probation and Parole," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 701(1), pages 8-25, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:701:y:2022:i:1:p:8-25
    DOI: 10.1177/00027162221115486
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. David J. Harding & Jessica J. B. Wyse & Cheyney Dobson & Jeffrey D. Morenoff, 2014. "Making Ends Meet After Prison," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 440-470, March.
    2. Jessica T Simes & Jaquelyn L Jahn, 2022. "The consequences of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act for police arrests," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(1), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Rucker C. Johnson & Steven Raphael, 2009. "The Effects of Male Incarceration Dynamics on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Infection Rates among African American Women and Men," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 52(2), pages 251-293, May.
    4. Manasi Deshpande & Michael Mueller-Smith, 2022. "Does Welfare Prevent Crime? the Criminal Justice Outcomes of Youth Removed from Ssi [“Misdemeanor Prosecution,”]," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 137(4), pages 2263-2307.
    5. Will Dobbie & Jacob Goldin & Crystal S. Yang, 2018. "The Effects of Pretrial Detention on Conviction, Future Crime, and Employment: Evidence from Randomly Assigned Judges," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 108(2), pages 201-240, February.
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