Probation and parole in the U.S: Link: nytimes.com & bjs.org
These two links contain an overview of our probation and parole system, as well as an article which suggests that support is growing for more community sanctions and fewer prison sentences
1) What is the difference between probation and parole?
2) What are the advantages of sentencing someone to a community sanction, such as probation, instead of sentencing the person to prison?
3) Search the internet and find the conditions of probation or parole for one state. What is your assessment of those conditions? Are they a sufficient punishment or do they let the offender off too easily? Why?