Source: prisonpolicy.org 10/15/24
Easthampton, Mass. — A new report from the Prison Policy Initiative provides one of the most comprehensive 50-state compilations of “standard” conditions of probation to date, shining a light on the burdensome rules that govern the lives of nearly 3 million people and that doom many to inevitable further punishments. The report, One Size Fits None, and accompanying data organize probation rules from 76 jurisdictions into topical categories — allowing readers to compare rules in their state to other states, and exposing how these systems turn even everyday behaviors into acceptable reasons for re-incarceration.
For those unfamiliar with probation, the report serves as an accessible introduction to “standard conditions,” the rules that everyone under supervision in a given jurisdiction must follow. One Size Fits None answers questions like:
- What aspects of people’s lives do probation rules typically address?
- In which states are standard conditions of probation set at the state versus the local level?
- What types of probation rules are at the discretion of probation officers to define?
- How do standard conditions intersect with the life circumstances of people most likely to be on probation, including low-income people and people with mental health conditions or substance use disorders?
“Our analysis of 76 jurisdictions finds that people on probation must abide by 12 standard conditions every day, on average, plus any special conditions that a judge or an officer imposes,” said report author Emily Widra. “These rules are rigidly applied across the board, and have serious consequences for people who are already marginalized along lines of race, class, and disability.”
The report dives into the most common themes that standard conditions of probation fall under, including:
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The sex offense probation department of the county I resided while on probation had at least one size fits all policy. I had overheard probation officers talking and had met others on probation while in the waiting room. The probation department put distance restrictions of child safety zones on people who had committed no offenses against a minor. And in one case, a person in my sex treatment group who had committed no sexual offenses per our sex treatment provider, had broken into an apartment during the day with the intent to steal items as that is what he did most days while people were at work, not knowing an adult female was home. Per our sex treatment provider, a polygraph and court records showed he never touched or threatened the adult female. This person was required to follow the distance restrictions of child safety zones, attend sex treatment and register as if they had committed a sex offense.
Glad I wasnt on probation ! And forced to pay for GPS and restitution… Ive free since 2013 and never paid a red cent of restitution ($12k) Which they kept doubling for violations.. and I NEVER WILL EVER pay restitution to this blood sucking GOVERNMENT ! All of that $$$ goes to the court and NOT the so called victim… its all FREE CASH for the US GOVT and im NOT paying a cent to them !!