There are different kinds of parole and probation, so you should know what kind of terms you are facing to ensure you make the right choice for your future. With probation and parole, the goal is to help the offender become a responsible, useful part of society and to keep them from breaking the law again. Probation or parole gives criminals a chance to demonstrate that their behaviour has improved.
Your life could change significantly if you receive probation or parole as your punishment. So, you should pick the choice that fits your needs best. It would be best to let experienced criminal lawyers in Melbourne who have experience with these kinds of cases help you.
Types Of Probation And Jail Time
Probation and parole can be administered in various ways. Different methods exist to punish those who break the terms of their probation. The goal is to monitor the offender. Understanding the rights of a prisoner in Victoria is crucial, as these rights ensure fair treatment and access to necessary services during their sentence and while on parole. Some criminals may receive community-based orders, which means they must contribute positively to the community. People with Intensive Correction Orders (ICOs) may have to report to prison every day or wear a device that tracks their movements. If a person meets certain conditions, a conditional suspended jail order, also known as a suspended sentence, may let them go free. If a criminal breaks the rules, they will go to jail immediately. Before the judgment, a pre-sentence report could be made so that the court can impose a community service-based punishment like probation.
How To Get Probation Or Parole
Depending on the severity of the crime, the terms of probation and parole may vary. Probation is a sentence that is based on the community's needs. While the criminal is free to live in society again, they are subject to certain restrictions. Probation and parole can last anywhere from months to years. Typically, the criminal must promise not to commit any more crimes. Some programs may also require them to participate to help them with their problems. Usually, the criminal won't be able to leave the country without permission from their probation or parole manager.
The person on probation must also inform their probation officer about any significant changes in their life, such as losing their job, moving, or changing their phone number. When a person is on probation, they must comply with specific conditions to ensure they adhere to their probation terms. Monitoring, a behaviour modification program, and community service are all requirements. Most of the time, supervision doesn't mean that the probation officer must follow the criminal around.
Usually, it means that the person on parole must arrange regular meetings with their parole officer to ensure they are changing their behaviour and not reoffending. The goal of the program is to ensure that the offender is taking the right steps to address the behaviour that led to the crime. In these programs, the criminal may have to get help for drug abuse, talk to a counsellor about anger or violence issues, and learn new skills. Another option is to place the criminal in a work program, which will help them secure employment.
Being Eligible For Probation
Not every criminal will be eligible for probation or parole. People who need rehabilitation may also be good candidates if the court decides that treatment is a better use of the community's resources. When people receive these kinds of punishments, the goal is to help them change their lives for the better. Those addicted to drugs, alcohol, or gambling are usually good candidates. One thing that makes this type of punishment different is that the person must agree to participate in a program. The court can't mandate this kind of punishment, but jail is usually the alternative.
Parole
With parole, a prisoner can spend some of their sentence outside of prison. A prisoner on parole will have to follow the rules of their release and will be supervised. It is also important to check if someone is on the Sex Offenders Registe, as this can affect their parole conditions and monitoring requirements. As part of parole, a prisoner serves part of their term in the community. This helps them reintegrate into society and enhances community safety.
As part of a full-time jail sentence, the court must set a period during which the person will not be eligible for parole (unless the court orders a fixed term of imprisonment). Prisoners must remain in jail during the non-parole term. Once the non-parole period is up, the offender is either released on parole or must apply for parole. This will depend on the total sentence the offender receives.
The criminal must follow the rules of parole while they are out on parole. The offender can be sent back to jail to serve out the rest of their parole time if these conditions are broken, such as by committing more crimes.
Conclusion
To make smart choices about your future, you need to know about the different kinds of probation and parole, as well as their rules and requirements. The goal of these programs is to help criminals become responsible, useful members of society again. Through different monitoring and support programs, they give people chances to show that they have changed their behaviour. One's ability to participate relies on the severity of the crime and the potential for personal reform by completing the program. Public safety and personal change are both important in probation and parole. Offenders can rebuild their lives and contribute positively to their communities if they follow the rules set by the court and parole officers.
Resources And Further Reading
- https://correctiveservices.dcj.nsw.gov.au/community-corrections/community-based-order/intensive-correction-orders.html#:~:text=An%20ICO%20is%20a%20custodial,suspended%20sentences%2C%20supervision%20is%20mandatory.
- https://www.sentencingcouncil.vic.gov.au/sentencing-statistics/released-prisoners-returning-to-prison
- https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/crime-and-justice/corrective-services-australia/latest-release
