Texas’ weak probation system puts neighborhoods and families at risk.
16,000 probation absconders are currently running free, but Texas has no resources to go look for them. We need real supervision,
or a large number of them will inevitably commit more crimes.
Three thousand probation officers in Texas currently supervise 450,000 men and women on so-called
“community supervision.” But if you’re on normal probation in Texas, you show up once a month at the
probation office to pee in a cup. The rest of the time, you’re on your own.
Studies show that long probation terms are ineffective at preventing crime,
and may even provide disincentives for probationers to go straight, especially habitual, petty offenders like petty thieves
and drug users. Offenders need positive incentives to change their bad habits. To maximize public safety, probationers
must be able to earn their rights back by becoming a responsible citizen and demonstrating they deserve to leave the system.
Most probationers who are revoked are revoked to prison in the first few years. Probationers
who have succeeded for years pose much less risk than probationers in the first few years, but they take up just as much time
for the probation officer who has a 150-person case load.
With stronger probation, probation officers would have fewer cases and could
make surprise field visits, talk to employers, and take other actions to oversee offenders.
More effective use of resources increases public safety
by reducing crime.
Texas should strengthen probation.
Governor Perry should sign HB 2193 into law.
