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A comment response by the top poster [1] deserves a full read as well, for observations of behavior, motivations, and recidivism by others in the system. On the

A comment response by the top poster [1] deserves a full read as well, for observations of behavior, motivations, and recidivism by others in the system. On the latter note, there is also this sobering paragraph: ...Here in Colorado we have what is called "mandatory parole" - which is probably not what you think it is. It does not mean that it is mandatory to release you early, it means that even if you are released after serving your entire sentence, you will be considered "on parole" and will have a parole officer assigned and live under the threat of being sent back to prison (even if you already served your entire sentence). Hence, you could do almost 15 years on a 10 year sentence because if you are released after doing the 10, you will still have to do 5 years of "parole" and could be sent back if you violate any of the terms of parole. In fact, nearly 40% of the intake into Colorado prisons is from "technical" parole violations, which are violations of parole conditions that are not felony crimes. This system has created a terrible sense of hopelessness among those caught up in it. My assessment (admittedly based on anecdotal data) is that Colorado parole officers think it is their duty to try and find reasons to violate a parolee and get them sent back to prison. They seem to go out of their way to make success difficult for a parolee, rather than just expect compliance with the law. [1] http://www.quora.com/Prisons-and-Prison-Life/What-is-it-like-to-be-a-geek-in-a-prison/answers/3504930/comment/3226629 http://www.quora.com/Prisons-and-Prison-Life/What-is-it-like...

dm2 13y ago
Then why not better train, screen, and pay the parole officers? These people seem to be a key part of the system which would be overseeing people who have a high chance to commit a crime. The parole officers should definitely try to fairly assess the parolee's life circumstances and try to best assist them in finding a job and crime-free life in normal society. I've heard stories of parole officers being hard on parolees but the parolees were also thankful because it forced them to turn their lives around. 40% seems very high but the people who sentence and lock-up parolees who violate their parole are likely much better equipped and trained to judge the parolees. Just my 2 cents.
- cema 13y ago
  Then why not better train, screen, and pay the parole officers? Think about the candidate pool. Who would be willing to go and take that kind of job? I would expect a certain bias towards what the parent posting has described. Independent observation and openness, in my opinion, would be much more effective.
- guelo 13y ago
  What gave you the impression that it's a problem of training and pay? Parole officers are doing their jobs as they are trained. The system, run by "tough on crime" politicians, prosecutors and cops, is geared towards having as little sympathy as possible.
- nanidin 13y ago
  It depends on how you define better: In the context of the owners of a for-profit prison system, better training would result in more parole violations.

dm2 13y ago

Then why not better train, screen, and pay the parole officers? These people seem to be a key part of the system which would be overseeing people who have a high chance to commit a crime. The parole officers should definitely try to fairly assess the parolee's life circumstances and try to best assist them in finding a job and crime-free life in normal society. I've heard stories of parole officers being hard on parolees but the parolees were also thankful because it forced them to turn their lives around. 40% seems very high but the people who sentence and lock-up parolees who violate their parole are likely much better equipped and trained to judge the parolees. Just my 2 cents.

cema 13y ago
Then why not better train, screen, and pay the parole officers? Think about the candidate pool. Who would be willing to go and take that kind of job? I would expect a certain bias towards what the parent posting has described. Independent observation and openness, in my opinion, would be much more effective.
guelo 13y ago
What gave you the impression that it's a problem of training and pay? Parole officers are doing their jobs as they are trained. The system, run by "tough on crime" politicians, prosecutors and cops, is geared towards having as little sympathy as possible.
nanidin 13y ago
It depends on how you define better: In the context of the owners of a for-profit prison system, better training would result in more parole violations.