NC Probation Officers Adjust to Changing Population
As the laws change and sentencing practices change, so too do the practices of North Carolina probation and parole officers. Major sentencing reform which happened in 1994 is now affecting those men and women being released from prison and therefore the officers tasked with supervising them. Likewise, more prison alternatives are being doled out by judges, leading to more and more people under probation supervision.
In 1994, structured sentencing laws took the place of fair sentencing laws. The intention of the change was to reduce prison overcrowding, ease prison release transitions, and require the most violent offenders to serve more of their sentences.
With “structured sentencing” came post-release supervision, which took the place of traditional parole. Where parole was something determined by a panel and not all inmates were released under supervision, post-release supervision is mandatory and required for all state inmates who were sentenced after the changes in 1994.
Inmates sentenced for violent criminal offenses in NC are now serving more of their sentences and more likely to be supervised upon their release. This has resulted in all NC probation and “parole” officers to carry firearms, something that was previously only done by those supervising certain populations.
While there is no discretion involved in who is supervised after they are released, the post release commission can determine just how they are supervised, requiring certain conditions and terms to be met during the typical 9 month period of post release supervision.
Just as judges do in probation cases, the commission can order specific requirements of post release supervision. For instance, requiring continuing education for someone who doesn’t yet have their GED or requiring drug counseling for someone who was incarcerated on a drug charge.
The goal behind all supervision, whether probation or post release, is to assist those being supervised in leading a crime free life, eventually freeing them from the criminal justice system with little risk of them returning. While it’s not always that simple, the resources are there for ex-inmates and probationers to succeed.
When you are facing the potential for years behind bars, knowing you may qualify for probation can be a relief. But, you must adhere to the conditions of your supervision or risk being incarcerated anyways. Whether you are facing criminal charges or a probation revocation hearing, we can help.
Contact our offices for a consultation on your case today.
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