Parole Determinations, Essay Example

Subjective and Objective Indicators in Parole Determinations

In regards to objective indicators, Robert D. Hanser points out that in most cases, statistical risk prediction is more accurate and reliable as contrasted with subjective or individual decisions related to releasing an offender into society with parole supervision (Community Corrections 254). As to subjective decisions, Hanser observes that this approach is a “necessary evil that is fraught with peril, resulting in mispredictions” that often lead to recidivism and re-incarceration (254). For example, if a parole board member utilizes subjective decision-making related to releasing an inmate on parole, such as accepting an inmate’s apology for committing a crime against society, the inmate might end up committing other crimes on the outside which could lead to serious problems and perhaps injury or death to an innocent bystander.

Overall, objective indicators are based upon what is known as the salient factor score which includes prior convictions, prior commitments or earlier confinements, the age of the offender, a commitment-free period of at least three years, community supervision at the time of the offense, and drug abuse history related to opiates (Hanser 258-259). In contrast, subjective indicators or factors may include terminal illness or if the offender is suffering from a fatal disease, the likelihood that the offender will complete treatment programs once on the outside, and general impressions that are made via parole board members during interviews (Hanser 256), such as the impression that the offender is speaking honestly and truly wishes to turn his/her life around.

If I were a parole board member, I would focus on two important indicators–the offender’s history of drug abuse, and the age of the offender. My reasons for using these two indicators are as follows–1), if the offender has a long history of drug abuse, he/she is more likely to end up in a criminal environment since drug use has long been associated with criminals, and 2), if the offender is over the age of seventy, such as after spending decades behind bars for a violent criminal offense like armed robbery or manslaughter, he/she is less likely to associate with known criminals and those from his/her past. A possible scenario from real life would be a male offender that is released on supervised parole who encounters some of his former criminal friends and is tempted to participate in a robbery. But due to his age, it makes sense that he would be less likely to participate, knowing full well that if caught, he will wind up behind bars once again.

Works Cited

Hanser, Robert D. Community Corrections. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.