How Does Shock Probation Work?
Introduction Sentencing a first-time offender to probation is a sticky subject. Giving probation for a non-violent misdemeanor or felony often feels ineffective and can be a slap in the face to law enforcement. On the other hand, exposing a basically decent person who made a stupid mistake to a year in prison could lead him down the path to a life of crime. In 1966, a few states began a program called “Shock Probation” where first-time offenders who are sentenced to prison can file an appeal to their judge. If accepted, the offender will be released on probation after spending 30, 60 or 90 days in prison. Thus, the offender can experience the trauma of incarceration without sufferring its long-term ill effects. History In 1965, shock probation began in Ohio and involved 4,014 prisoners, who served only the initial 60 to 90 days of their original sentence. The recidivism (committing a crime after release) rate among these prisoners was only 9% – far lower than the average national recid
