Summary: Probation and parole were designed to protect the community by reducing the incidence of criminal acts by previously convicted persons. As of June 30, 1976, about 92,000 offenders were in federal corrections programs; about 64,000 of these offenders were on probation or parole. A review was conducted of the operations of five probation districts--California Central, Georgia Northern, Illinois Northern, Washington, D.C., and Washington Western--to evaluate how the system was providing supervision and rehabilitation services. A sample of both open and closed probation and parole cases was reviewed.
In the closed cases, about half of all offenders removed from supervision either had their probation or parole revoked, had absconded, were convicted of new crimes, or were awaiting trial. In the open cases, a similar trend was developing; however, the final results were not available. The high percentage of offenders convicted of new crimes while under supervision indicates problems either in the selection of offenders to be placed on probation or parole or in the programs for supervising and rehabilitating them, or both. Although probation officer contacts with offenders have increased somewhat, probation officers are not meeting minimum standards established by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Studies have shown that professional treatment of medical, vocational, family, and other problems can help probationers and parolees to move out of the criminal justice system. Federal supervision programs are not providing enough professional treatment, and rehabilitation services often are not available in the community from public service organizations or government programs.
