Parole is a widely used criminal justice term defining a supervised release of convicts from prison into their communities before the completion of their sentence. The program aims to rehabilitate and reintegrate inmates into society, thereby reducing prison overcrowding and recidivism rate. However, despite its intended purpose, parolees still face numerous challenges upon their return to the community. This essay delves into the concept of parole, its benefits, and the barriers that parolees encounter when they return to the community where they committed the crime.
At its core, parole enables a prisoner to serve a portion of their sentence outside jail and under supervision by the parole board. It is usually granted when inmates exhibit positive behavioral change, participate in rehabilitation programs, and show readiness to assume a constructive role in society. One of the primary benefits of parole programs is that it provides parolees an opportunity to transition back to the community, re-establish relationships, and contribute positively to society (Varghese et al., 2021). Parolees receive social services such as job training, employment placement services, and housing assistance, reducing their prospects of reoffending (Varghese et al., 2021). By providing these social services, the community can minimize the risk of parolees reoffending and improve their chances of leading productive, law-abiding lives.
However, despite the benefits of parole programs, return to the community is often wrought with numerous challenges. One of the main obstacles that parolees encounter is stigmatization, leaving them feeling isolated and rejected by society (Ortiz & Jackey, 2019). This stigma may impact their employment prospects, housing, and public opinion of them. The negative perceptions of former convicted felons could lead to unfair treatment by employers, landlords, and even law enforcement agencies, leading to further alienation of parolees (Ortiz & Jackey, 2019). Additionally, parolees face significant financial difficulties, including fines, restitution, and court fees which can be impossible to pay off with limited resources upon release.
To summarize, parole is a vital component of the criminal justice system, providing an opportunity for reintegration of convicted felons back into society. Although the program has its advantages, the barriers parolees face while returning to their community often outweigh the benefits. Stigmatization and financial pressures significantly undermine parolee’s reintegration goals, making it challenging to secure housing, find employment, or contribute positively to society. Therefore, it is crucial for policymakers to invest in programs aimed at reducing the barriers that impede successful parolee reentry into society.
References
Ortiz, J. M., & Jackey, H. (2019). The system is not broken, it is intentional: The prisoner reentry industry as deliberate structural violence. The Prison Journal, 99(4) 484–503.
Varghese, F. P., Skaggs, S., Christie, C., Mark, D., Swindle, T., Anderson, E., & Sandlin, L. (2021). Employment perceptions of parolees: The role of perceived barriers and criminal thinking. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 65(12), 1373–1389. Web.