Visions of Social Control: Probation Considered

Abstract

The extent to which probation in California controls criminal offenders is examined. A distinction is made between the representations of social control by probation and its realities. Some writers claim that penology has developed a new language and strategy directed to the management rather than treatment of offenders, scarcely true for probation, which receives more offenders than jails and prisons. Probation may have a new language but its most significant changes have been a massive deterioration in supervision due to loss of staff and budget and a heavy increase of cases. Study of four northern California county probation departments showed that a common adaptation to the avalanche of new cases and loss of staff was bankloading of cases. Increased caseload size has meant that many active cases go without supervision. Reasons for probation's marginal position and uncertain claims on county budgets are discussed.