Felony Probation: Problems and Prospects

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

A distinguished scholar has responded to generic issues of probation's function during a period of growing emphasis on punishment and incarceration for criminal behavior. Primary concern is with present criminal justice perspectives on felons that affect probation activities. This thoughtful book reviews the literature, particularly Petersilia and Rand Corporation research, and poses critical correctional questions. . . . Sensitive to current conceptual ambiguity, Champion carefully defines key terms consistently used to develop perspectives on offenders' dispositions. Although the discussions may be too brief for some readers, the final chapter does focus attention on major issues, states fundamental problems, and provides a forward-looking vision for probation. The book has excellent organization. The bibliography offers a comprehensive listing of essential sources. Choice Felony probation as a solution to severe prison crowding is a moral, ethical, and legal problem, but as Champion notes, almost no alternatives exist. This volume assesses the pros and cons of the growing use of felony probation as a rehabilitative tool and as a functional alternative to alleviate prison overcrowding, and examines the models that provide a framework for understanding this pervasive problem. This comprehensive text will aid law enforcement officials, probation and parole officers, social workers, and teachers of probation-parole corrections courses. Champion's discussion begins with a detailed account of probation in the United States. Included are the history, philosophy, and function of probatiion, as well as an analysis of probation models. Next, the author explores U.S. courts and judges, covering topics such as felony trends in the U.S., plea bargaining, and sentencing. Prison overcrowding is discussed, including the measures and types of overcrowding. An analysis of the dangers of prison overcrowding follows which includes coverage of recidivism, selective incapacitation, and public risk. Finally, Champion explores the future of felony probation and assesses the moral, ethical, and legal issues surrounding felony probation.

Reviews

A distinguished scholar has responded to generic issues of probation's functions during a period of growing emphasis on punishment and incarceration for criminal behavior. Primary concern is with present criminal justice perspectives on felons that affect probation activities. This thoughtful book reviews the literature, particularly Petersilia and Greenwood Rand Corporation research, and poses critical correctional questions. In a descriptive fashion, the beginning chapters treat probation's historical roots, judicial processing of offenders, and reform attempts. These chapters establish a framework for discussing issues of jail and prison overcrowding, specification and prediction of dangerousness, and the future role of probation as a disposition for felons. Sensitive to current conceptual ambiguity, Champion carefully defines key terms (i.e., recidivism, dangerousness) consistently used to develop perspectives on offenders' dispositions. Although the discussions may be too brief for some readers, the final chapter does focus attention on major issues, states fundamental problems, and provides a forward-looking vision for probation. The book has excellent organization. The bibliography offers a comprehensive listing of essential sources. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. * Choice *
I believe that this book is essential for everyone who is interested in corrections and especially in probation. The author discusses many research studies, compares probation among jurisdictions, analyzes legal issues and policies in courts and prisons, and discusses important issues, e.g., models in corrections, issues of dangerousness, and objective measures of jail/prison overcrowding. * Federal Probation *

Author Bio

Dean J. Champion is professor and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice at Minot State University. He received his PhD in 1965 from Purdue University. Dr. Champion is the author of Basic Statistics for Social Research, Sociology of Organizations, Methods and Issues in Social Research, Corrections in the United States, Introduction to Criminal Justice, and Probation and Parole in the United States. His contributions have appeared in Journal of Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Review, Federal Probation, the American Journal of Sociology, and numerous others. Dr. Champion's current research focuses on plea bargaining.