Paper Example on MPs Highlight State of UK Community Corrections Agencies

The source of this assignment is from BBC News that was posted on 21st June 2018 in the UK. In this source, the MP’s were indicating the state of the community correction agencies and the officers too (BBC 1). Community corrections are, with no doubt, the number one place to begin if people ever want to create positive change in offenders' rehabilitation successfully. Not only do many probation and parole officers deal with those that have been placed under supervision prior to incarceration, but they also deal with those that have recently been released from prison under parole status. The news outline that, probation and parole officers operate with the ultimate objective of working with the given individuals to successfully rehabilitate them to the point that an individual is capable of reintegrating back into the community and reduce the risk of going back into the system of the criminal justice (BBC 1). Despite the officers' efforts, community corrections are portrayed negatively. However, it is portrayed as a mess, with the officers having low morale and the support of the individuals being released from prison being perceived as wholly inadequate. Generally, their entire effort of lowering re-offending or recidivism is termed to be very disappointing. The officers are perceived as being uneducated, thus lacking skills and knowledge concerning their work. Some are also perceived as being violent, unsupportive, and ignorant.

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According to the news, the negative portrayal has negatively impacted both the community corrections agencies and the officers. It has affected the working morale of the officers who end up facing job dissatisfaction issues, burnout, job stress, suicide, drug abuse, and alcoholism. A lot of pressure in their job also makes some officers resign and leave their work. On the other hand, community correction agencies are forced to rely on impoverished clients for fees and their existence. This is caused by the high volume of the prisoners, which stretches public resources meant for the community corrections, which fosters inadequate programming and large caseloads.

The fact that today, the community corrections officers or personnel hold one of the most underrated and unique jobs in society, they should undergo proper training concerning their work and be highly motivated. Also, cultivating loving-kindness as well as equanimity practices towards both self and others can lead to a lowering of the officers' stress while encouraging a professional, positive human interaction and authentic presence with their clients (Viglione et al., 45). This practice evolves a state of composure and balance, especially under stressful circumstances. Additionally, their negative image can be combated by professionally improving their deeds in a positive and life-changing manner. For instance, the individuals on community corrections can particularly be incentivized mainly by earning probation time off for excellent behavior like degree earning, stable housing, and securing employment. Jurisdictions should also consider reducing the number of individuals on parole and probation. Instead, they should focus their supervision on the people in dire need and only for the supervision required time without negatively impacting public safety (Sowards, 5). The agencies should also be fully funded to ensure smooth management. Ultimately, the only best way of approaching the reduction of recidivism is by ensuring that all the key players in the justice system work closely with the community corrections in some capacity, as explained by Sowards, Timothy Loranzy.

Works Cited

BBC. "Probation System, 'a Mess,' Say MPs." BBC News, 22 June 2018, www.bbc.com/news/uk-44568810.

Sowards, Timothy Loranzy. "Perceptions of Reasonable Use of Force by Probation Officers and Civilians." (2018).

Viglione, Jill, Danielle S. Rudes, and Faye S. Taxman. "Probation officer use of client-centered communication strategies in adult probation settings." Journal of Offender Rehabilitation 56.1 (2017): 38-60.