benefit

For offenders who do not pose a significant risk to the public, it is much more cost effective to supervise them in the community rather than imprison them. Not only is the cost of incarceration much higher than probation supervision, but while on probation, the offender must maintain employment, paying taxes thus participating in the economy. According to the "Facts at a Glance" from the Oklahoma Dept. of Corrections Dec. 2000 issue, it costs taxpayer's $13,000-$19,000 dollars per year to incarcerate offenders. The actual cost of allowing non-violent offenders to remain in the Community under supervision is $745.00 per year. Probation and Parole Officer's in my charge have demonstrated a 92%-99% success rate per month with Community offender's...This is a tremendous savings to the Taxpayer.

Offenders on probation are also responsible for financial reimbursement of their crime. Probationers pay $40.00 per month fees to D.O.C. to offset administrative costs, pay court costs and most importantly, pay restitution to victims of their crime. Many offenders also are required to do community service, which benefits the entire public, or to participate in Programs such as Substance Abuse; Education; Mental health and to be employed and support themselves and their dependants while on Probation.

The Daily Oklahoman reported today 6/01 that Community Sentencing in Oklahoma has described that they have reduced costs of Incarceration of Offenders to $1200 per year but currently only have approximately 1300 Offenders . Probation and Parole statistics clearly show that our costs , per year, are $745.00. The article indicates that Community Sentencing expects a growth of 3100 Offenders this year( possiblle)..Oklahoma taxpayers should be very concerned about the increased costs passed on thru legislation of new Community Sentencing Laws in Oklahoma..While significant progress and success is being made at the Probation and Parole level, why would taxpayers be enthuased at paying additional money to see few/or negitive results??? Costs for Community Sentencing continue to be higher than what "taxpayers" are now paying for "in place" systems....Although there has been much "privatization" of Treatment and Supervision of Offenders for Community Sentencing, taxpayers continue to pay higher amounts of tax dollars for these unevaluated services...Do taxpayers want, "Quality" supervision and "protection" or pay more for "treatment" and "lesser" quality of "Protection"?? Offenders sentenced to Community Sentencing are "moderate" risk for recidivism....Probation and Parole Officers serve High risk Offenders , seemingly, with better results.