Research Paper on:
Probation versus Jail and Recidivism Rates

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
myriad of sources including books, newspapers, websites, scientific studies, journals and other diverse and relevant means of accumulation of the facts, it has become obvious that probation does not reduce  the rate of recidivism on crime. The fact is that more criminals return to their criminal behavior when placed on probation as opposed to those who are incarcerated.  This interesting paper will explain those findings in detail. AN OVERVIEW OF THE FINDINGS In one study in England done in 1993, it was found that the use  of probation on juvenile offenders was just as effective if not more effective than incarceration on the impact of recidivism (Brownlee and Joanes 1993). This study, however, was based  more on the strategy of saving money by using a probationary status rather than incarceration and was somewhat biased in the findings for that reason. It does not take a  mathematical genius to understand that incarceration is indeed more costly than probation in treating criminals. That, however, is not what we are trying to cover in this research.  The fact remains that even though incarceration is undoubtedly much more expensive than probationary programs, lawbreakers, especially those more violent offenders, are more likely to return to their criminal activities  when they have only served probation rather than having been incarcerated. The study in England was also based on a population majority of first time and non-violent juvenile offenders (Brownlee  and Joanes 1993). In a study based on this type population it is easy to see that probation could readily be the answer for these type offenders. The  purpose of this paper is to look at the overall population of criminal offenders. Our interest is in the entire population from juveniles to adults, from first time offenders