Indeterminate sentencing and parole received a fair share of criticism that led to their ultimate abandonment by some states. The sentencing system, for example, was seen to be an unnecessary burden to the tax payer through allowing prisoners to overstay their due term even after a successful change of behavior (Rikard & Rosenberg 2007). Secondly, the shifting of prisoners from one jail to another due to overcrowding in jails led to confusion over the assessment of change of behavior by prisoners since, at times, prisoners were sent to jails that could not continue the rehabilitation program they were on (Ball 2009). In such an instance the prisoner was back to square one in terms of rehabilitation and redemption of their positive character. It was also the view of many critics that there existed an opportunity for abuse by either the presiding magistrate or the parole board since the latter, for example, never required any special qualifications for employees in the offices (Huebner & Bynum 2006). As such establishment of the cause and suitable punishment of the criminal behavior was never accurate.
Personally, I find abolishment of the indeterminate sentencing and parole a major win for the criminal justice system. Firstly, there needs to be consistent rehabilitation programs to facilitate implementation of the system which presently is not very well established. Through this, the parole board will be able to determine how much a prisoner has reformed without their improvement record being lost through the random transfer between jails. Secondly, the success of the indeterminate sentencing and parole is hinged on proper training of the judges and the parole boards to achieve a coordinated approach towards rehabilitating the prisoners. This apart from easing the disparity in judgment that is made by the two bodies, will also win the public confidence in the system through consistent judgements for related offences.
References
Ball, W. D. (2009). Heinous, atrocious, and cruel: Apprendi, indeterminate sentencing, and the meaning of punishment. Columbia Law Review, 109, 893.
Rikard, R. V., & Rosenberg, E. (2007). Aging inmates: A convergence of trends in the American criminal justice system. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 13(3), 150-162.
Huebner, B. M., & Bynum, T. S. (2006). An analysis of parole decision making using a sample of sex offenders: A focal concerns perspective.Criminology, 44(4), 961-991.
