Cancellation of Parole in Place: Effects on Individuals and Society
Parole, the conditional release of a prisoner before the completion of their sentence, plays a critical role in rehabilitation and reintegration into society. However, the cancellation of parole in place can have significant consequences for both the individual and the community.
What is Cancellation of Parole in Place?
Cancellation of parole in place, also known as parole revocation, occurs when a parolee violates the conditions of their release. This can include committing a new crime, failing drug tests, failing to maintain employment, or violating curfew. When parole is revoked, the individual is returned to prison to complete the remainder of their original sentence.
Effects on Individuals:
- Increased Prison Time: The most immediate consequence of parole cancellation is the return to prison, often for a substantial period. This can be emotionally and psychologically devastating, especially for individuals who have made progress toward rehabilitation.
- Loss of Progress: Parole provides opportunities for individuals to rebuild their lives by accessing employment, education, and support services. Cancellation disrupts this progress and can hinder their ability to reintegrate into society.
- Stigma and Social Exclusion: Returning to prison after parole revocation can further stigmatize individuals, making it more challenging to find employment, housing, and support. This can perpetuate a cycle of recidivism.
- Family Impact: Parole revocation can also have a significant impact on families, disrupting relationships and placing additional strain on loved ones.
Effects on Society:
- Increased Costs: Maintaining prisoners in custody is expensive. Cancelling parole leads to higher incarceration costs for the state.
- Public Safety Concerns: Some argue that cancellation of parole increases public safety by preventing potential harm from parolees who violate their conditions. However, research suggests that parole revocation may not be effective in deterring future crime.
- Strain on the Correctional System: Increased prison populations due to parole revocations can put a strain on the correctional system, leading to overcrowding and limited access to rehabilitation programs.
Alternative Approaches:
- Focus on Rehabilitation: Investing in robust rehabilitation programs can help parolees successfully reintegrate into society and reduce the likelihood of parole violation.
- Tailored Supervision: Implementing individualized parole supervision plans can provide more targeted support and address specific challenges faced by parolees.
- Community-Based Solutions: Expanding community-based alternatives to incarceration, such as restorative justice programs, can provide a more humane and effective approach to addressing parole violations.
Conclusion:
Cancellation of parole in place has significant consequences for both individuals and society. While it may seem like a necessary measure to ensure public safety, it often leads to increased incarceration costs, exacerbates social exclusion, and hinders rehabilitation efforts. Investing in alternative approaches that prioritize rehabilitation and support can be more effective in achieving long-term public safety and reducing recidivism rates.