Florida's Probation System

When it comes to Florida's probation (and parole for those still under the pre-1983 parole commission) systems, there may not be more of an unjust policy for ex-offenders who are trying to start a new life. The negative snowball created when probationers (who are not committing anew crime) are violated and sent back to prison, is a snowball that destroys everything in its path.

The price one pays for being 20 minutes late could mean 20 years back in prison, a year foreach passing minute. Never mind that there was a car wreck that held up traffic or a boss who needed you to stay at work an extra 15 minutes until a co-worker could arrive. No understanding from the probation officer who violates you...rips you away from your crying children, wife, and all of the broken relationships you were able to mend.

Never mind that you just bought a new two-income home, have car payments, and a job that you had to build trust in who you could be. No, this snowball sees none of those things that civil society should consider before destroying such societal norms. What do we honestly think such cold detachment will do to a world that it has no accountability too? It will create absolute destruction in its wake.

In the world of Florida's probation, moments like these are referred to as "technical violations",and they vary from being late from work, moving without informing your probation officer, failing to pay your monthly probation fee, and many others that do not include committing a new crime.We have built a criminal justice system that is built on an unforgiving foundation and such structural design can only guarantee success to those whose life never throws a curveball.

We, here at Society-First, invite those who have been affected by this epidemic, whether an ex-offender, inmate, family member, victim, church, correctional officer, or simply a citizen to share their personal experience, solutions, and/or questions concerning this plight on the criminal justice system.