| What is "Probation?" |
| When an offender goes before the court to be sentenced for a crime, he or she may be sentenced to probation instead of incarceration. When a person is on probation, they are allowed to remain in the community as long as they obey the law as well as conditions set forth by the court. There are two basic types of probation sentences, deferred sentencing and a suspended sentence. In deferred cases, the Court agrees to defer(or put off) sentencing of the defendant for a period not exceeding five years. If the defendant stays out of trouble and complies with any special conditions set forth, the charges against the defendant will be dismissed at the end of the period of deferment. In deferred cases, the defendant will not have a felony conviction if they successfully complete probation. In Oklahoma, deferred sentences will be supervised only two years. The Offender will remain on unsupervised Probation for the balance of his/her term and can be accelerated at any time for significant violations. The second type of probation is a suspended sentence. In this case, the defendant has been sentenced to a period of incarceration, however, the prison time is suspended in part or in full. During the suspended sentence, the defendant is on probation and must obey the law and follow any rules and conditions set forth by the Court. If the defendant completes his period of probation, his/her case will discharge without having to serve that time in prison. He/she will, however, always have a felony conviction on his record. The third type is COMMUNITY SENTENCED offenders. These are nonviolent offenders who score "Moderate" on the LSI-R who are moderate risk for reoffense and in "need of treatment". These offenders may or may not be "Supervised" by Professionals...they can be supervised by almost anyone...Their Treatment is payed for by you the Taxpayer....( substance abuse/ mental health/ Education, etc...Is this right?????? |
| What is "Parole?" |
| Unlike probation, which is determined and regulated by District Courts, parole is determined by the Pardon and Parole Board and Governor. When an inmate in prison is considered for parole, a Pardon and Parole Board Investigator (not to be confused with a Probation and Parole Officer) assists the Board in determining if the inmate has a valid residence and employment that will facilitate success. Parole is a conditional release, allowing the inmate to serve the remainder of his sentence in the community. The parolee must follow the rules and conditions of parole (similar to those of probation) and will be supervised by a Probation and Parole Officer. These offenders will remain on parole until their discharge date or until they "continue" to violate their rules and conditions and "need" to be returned to incarceration to "Protect the Public" from further victimization. |
| WHAT IS COMMUNITY SENTENCING! |
| Community Sentencing in Oklahoma is an attempt to divert offenders from Prison and to provide State (taxpayer) dollars to ensure that Offenders receive Treatment or programs for their individual needs. Sounds good, or does it?? Offender's , except in the most rural area's have always had the availability for programs / Treatment to meet their needs, only , they paid for it....now , if eligible, We the taxpayer pay for it... Offenders eligible for Community Sentencing must score in the "moderate" range on the LSI -R to receive funds for treatment. Also, these offenders can be "Supervised" by nearly anyone. Community Sentencing defines "supervision" can be by the Treatment provider; P&P; or other qualified persons. Our contention is that "Treatment " providers provide treatment , not supervision...Providers may only see the offender once a week, in an office (treatment setting) and that's it...Offender behavior away from the Treatment setting is not monitored...Is this Supervision???No..Effective supervision is visiting offender's at work, home, and elsewhere. Assessing their relationships, jobs, home environment, associates, etc.,etc.....No one provides this kind of Service, except Probation and Parole Officer's, who are Educated, trained, and Professionals |