ABSTRACT
Most offenders convicted of misdemeanors and felonies are sentenced to some form of community supervision, and most of those sentenced to prison will be placed on parole at some point. Probation, parole, and other forms of community supervision were developed largely as alternatives to incarceration or other, more harsh penalties. Community supervision programs are organized in a variety of ways, with parole being largely a state function, and probation being organized locally. Although similar, probation and parole are different in important ways. Most, though not all, offenders prefer community supervision to incarceration. Those placed on community supervision are required to abide by several conditions. Community supervision staff experience role conflict and stress in their jobs, and exercise substantial discretion. Largely by virtue of availability and flexibility, community supervision agents and agencies often are required to serve other functions in addition to the supervision of offenders.
