Question 1

_____ needs are characteristics, traits, problems, or issues of an individual that directly relate to the individual's likelihood to commit another crime.

Accepted Answer

Criminogenic needs are directly related to an individual's likelihood to commit another crime. Esteem needs relate to an individual's need for recognition and respect, social needs relate to an individual's need for social interaction and inclusion, and cognitive needs relate to an individual's mental processes and abilities.

Question 2

_____ is the most frequently used form of criminal punishment.

Accepted Answer

Probation is the most frequently used form of criminal punishment in the United States. This is because it allows individuals to remain in their communities while receiving supervision and rehabilitation services. Incarceration is a close second, but it is more expensive and has higher rates of recidivism. Restitution and retribution are forms of punishment, but they are not as commonly used as probation or incarceration.

Question 3

The "founder of probation" was a shoemaker in the city of _____.

Accepted Answer

The "founder of probation" was John Augustus, a shoemaker in Boston, who began the practice in 1841 by persuading a judge to give him custody of a convicted offender, a method that evolved into modern probation practices.

Question 4

The National Probation Act of 1925 authorized:

Accepted Answer

The National Probation Act of 1925 authorized each federal district court to appoint one salaried probation officer with a fixed annual income. This was a significant step in the establishment of a standardized and professional probation system in the US.

Question 5

A sentence of probation allows an offender to remain in the community for _____.

Accepted Answer

A sentence of probation is a type of community-based sentence that allows offenders to remain in the community under supervision, giving them an opportunity to reintegrate into society. It is a form of rehabilitation that aims to prevent recidivism by providing the offender with the support and resources they need to address their underlying issues and change their behavior. Retribution and institutionalization are not the goals of probation.

Question 6

A written document that describes the losses, suffering, and trauma experienced by a crime victim or by the victim's survivors is called a _____.

Accepted Answer

A victim-impact statement is a written or oral statement that describes the losses, suffering, and trauma experienced by a crime victim or by the victim's survivors. This statement is used to inform the court of the impact of the crime, and it may be considered during sentencing or parole hearings. A power of attorney is a legal document giving someone the authority to act on behalf of another person in certain legal or financial matters. A plea for mercy is a request made by a defendant or their attorney to the court for leniency in sentencing. A victim opinion statement is not a commonly used term in the legal system.

Question 7

The first and most important purpose of a presentence report (PSR) is to:

Accepted Answer

The primary purpose of a presentence report is to assist the court in reaching a fair sentencing decision by providing the court with information about the defendant's background, criminal history, and personal circumstances. The report helps the judge to understand the defendant's character, social history, and potential for rehabilitation, which can aid in determining an appropriate sentence. While a PSR may mention victim impact statements or technical violations by a probationer, these are not the primary purposes of the report.

Question 8

Probation is premised on the belief that _____.

Accepted Answer

Probation is based on the idea that offenders have rights that should be protected, and that they can be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society with the right support and supervision. This is why probation often includes requirements such as counseling, community service, and regular check-ins with a probation officer. The other options (B, C, and D) are not consistent with the principles of probation.

Question 9

Probation subscribes to the principle of intervening in an offender's life _____.

Accepted Answer

Probation aims to intervene in an offender's life only to the extent necessary to prevent reoffending and ensure community safety. It is not necessarily to the greatest extent possible, and it applies to all types of offenders, not just those who have committed violent offenses. The ultimate goal is to facilitate rehabilitation and successful reintegration into the community.

Question 10

Which of the following is a reason why probation is conditional?

Accepted Answer

Probation is conditional because it can be revoked if certain conditions, such as failing to attend mandatory counseling sessions or committing a new crime, are not met. This allows for the offender to remain in the community under supervision, but also holds them accountable for their actions.

Question 11

The National Probation Act was signed by President _____.

Accepted Answer

The National Probation Act, which established probation as a legal sentence in the federal courts, was signed by President Calvin Coolidge in 1925.

Question 12

Presentence reports are prepared by _____.

Accepted Answer

Presentence reports are typically prepared by probation officers. They involve gathering information about the offender's criminal history, personal background, and any other relevant factors that may affect sentencing decisions. These reports are then used by judges to help determine an appropriate sentence for the offender. Police officers and psychologists may provide information for the report, but the probation officer is typically responsible for compiling and presenting the report to the court.

Question 13

_____ was the "founder of probation."

Accepted Answer

John Augustus is widely credited as the "founder of probation" because of his work in the mid-19th century in Boston, where he began advocating for the release of offenders into his custody and supervision rather than sending them straight to prison.

Question 14

The state of _____ was the first state to pass a statute authorizing probation.

Accepted Answer

Massachusetts was the first state to pass a statute authorizing probation in 1878.

Question 15

The repetition of criminal behavior, generally defined as rearrest, is called _____.

Accepted Answer

Recidivism is defined as the repetition of criminal behavior, generally measured by rearrest. Options A, B, and C are not correct because they do not accurately describe recidivism.

Question 16

Which of the following states has the largest adult probation population?

Accepted Answer

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, as of December 2018, Georgia had the largest adult probation population with 251,919 individuals.

Question 17

The second purpose of a presentence report is to:

Accepted Answer

The second purpose of a presentence report is to outline a treatment plan for the offender. This includes assessing the offender's needs, identifying any risks, and developing a plan for addressing those needs and risks through various programs or interventions. The goal is to provide the court with information that can help guide the sentencing decision and ensure that the offender receives appropriate rehabilitative services while in custody or on probation.

Question 18

In Missouri, a presentence report is called a _____.

Accepted Answer

In Missouri, a presentence report is called a sentence assessment report. A victim-impact statement is a statement made by a victim to the court outlining the impact of the crime on their life. A violation report is a report made when a person on probation or parole violates the conditions of their release. A psychological review may be conducted as part of a presentence report, but it is not the same thing as the report itself.

Question 19

The conditional release of a convicted offender into the community under supervision is called _____.

Accepted Answer

Probation is the conditional release of a convicted offender into the community under supervision. Arraignment is the first court appearance where the defendant is formally charged and enters a plea. Diversion is a program that allows offenders to avoid the formal criminal justice system. Adjudication is the legal process by which a judge or magistrate reviews evidence and arguments presented by opposing parties and decides on the outcome of a case.

Question 20

Probation is fair and appropriate sentencing for offenders whose crimes do not merit _____.

Accepted Answer

Probation is a form of punishment and rehabilitation that allows certain offenders to remain in the community under specific conditions rather than being incarcerated. However, it is only appropriate for offenders whose crimes do not merit incarceration, which is a more severe punishment. Community service and parole are also alternative sentencing options, but they may not be appropriate in all cases. Truth-in-sentencing is not a form of punishment, but rather a sentencing principle aimed at ensuring that the time an offender spends in prison is more closely aligned with the sentence imposed by the court.

Quiz 4: Probation: How Most Offenders Are Punished