Policy Aims in Action

POLICY AIM 1

Divert from probation and parole, individuals for whom the purposes of sentencing can be achieved without supervision, prioritizing services and supports above surveillance and supervision.

policy aim 2

Eradicate racial disparities in supervision, revocations, and sentencing recommendations.

POLICY AIM 3

Establish reasonable probation and parole terms that are not unnecessarily long (generally no longer than 18 months), and are measured by a balance of safety concerns and an individual’s goals.

POLICY AIM 4

Allow people on probation and parole to earn time off supervision through good behavior and by achieving certain milestones, like high school graduation, program completion, enrollment in college, and job retention.

POLICY AIM 5

Tailor conditions of probation and parole to the needs and goals of each individual. Conditions should never be imposed unless they specifically relate to the person’s offense behavior.

POLICY AIM 6

Eliminate supervision fees. If fees are levied, they should always be within the person’s ability to pay and the person should have the option of performing reasonable community service as an alternative.

POLICY AIM 7

Eliminate incarceration for technical violations, and reduce reincarceration for low-level new offenses by those under supervision.

POLICY AIM 8

Capture the savings from reducing the number of people under supervision and reducing incarceration for violations and reinvest them into smaller caseloads, evidence-based practices and enhanced community-led services and supports.

POLICY AIM 9

Expand and improve community services, supports, and opportunities provided to people on probation and parole.

POLICY AIM 10

Seek, hear, and honor the voices of community members, families, and justice-involved individuals as equal partners in system reform.

POLICY AIM 11

Support probation and parole staff as a cornerstone of systemic change. Staff should be heard, supported, and appropriately trained to embrace the principles of procedural justice.

POLICY AIM 12

Address the statutory restrictions that inhibit reentry into the community, such as restoration of voting rights, access to college funding, driving privileges, and safe housing.