Abstract
Probation and parole have a rich history. That history is interesting not only for its own sake but for the sake of assessing probation and parole today. Both practices have often been cast as mere alternatives to or extensions of the prison, however, their place in the assembly of penal sanctions predates and is integral to the functioning of the prison and criminal justice more broadly. This chapter chronicles the origins of probation and parole, highlighting the actors, rationales, and problems associated with their development. The roots of probation begin in Colonial America, while the roots of parole coincide with the arrival of the penitentiary. In the early twentieth century, or what is known as the Progressive Era, the ambitious agenda of probation and parole is most fully conceived. Both practices emerge from this reform process as key pillars of the correctional system and the rehabilitation platform.
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Lucken, K. (2022). The History of Probation and Parole. In: Jeglic, E., Calkins, C. (eds) Handbook of Issues in Criminal Justice Reform in the United States. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77565-0_14
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