Question 1

What is the most common sanction administered throughout the United States?
A) parole
B) probation
C) incarceration
D) death

Accepted Answer

Probation is the most common form of criminal sanction in the United States, allowing individuals convicted of crimes to remain in their communities under supervision instead of serving time in prison or jail, thus making it more prevalent than incarceration, parole, or the death penalty.

Question 2

What is a control valve mechanism that mitigates the flow of inmates sent directly to the jailhouse?
A) parole
B) prison
C) probation
D) all of these

Accepted Answer

Probation is a sentencing alternative that allows convicted offenders to remain in the community under the supervision of a probation officer instead of being sent directly to prison. This mechanism helps in managing the flow of inmates into jails by providing a controlled environment for rehabilitation outside the prison system.

Question 3

Probation is a uniquely ______ invention.
A) American
B) French
C) English
D) Italian

Accepted Answer

Probation is a uniquely American invention, developed in the United States as a system for supervising offenders in the community as an alternative to incarceration.

Question 4

The father of modern probation is ______.
A) Cesare Beccaria
B) John Howard
C) William Penn
D) John Augustus

Accepted Answer

John Augustus is considered the father of modern probation due to his efforts in the 19th century to reform the criminal justice system by advocating for the release of offenders under the condition that they reform their behavior.

Question 5

What was John Augustus' actual goal?
A) to attempt to reform offenders
B) to spare individuals the misery of jail
C) to attempt to reform local jails
D) to spare the courts the misery of dealing with nonviolent offenders

Accepted Answer

John Augustus, known as the "Father of Probation," aimed to reform offenders by providing them with an opportunity for rehabilitation instead of incarceration.

Question 6

In many cases, probation sentences are meted out at what level of government?
A) city
B) county
C) state
D) federal

Accepted Answer

Probation sentences are typically administered at the county level, where local courts handle most criminal cases and oversee probation services.

Question 7

The majority of offenders tend to commit crimes that are petty, nonserious, or nonviolent. This means that they will tend to qualify for jail or ______.
A) incarceration
B) confinement
C) probation
D) transfer

Accepted Answer

Probation is often used for offenders who commit petty, nonserious, or nonviolent crimes, as it is a form of legal supervision in the community instead of incarceration.

Question 8

What are criminal offenders who have been sentenced to a period of correctional supervision in lieu of incarceration?
A) probationers
B) parolees
C) civil slaves
D) none of these

Accepted Answer

Probationers are individuals who have been sentenced to a period of correctional supervision in the community instead of incarceration. This allows them to live in their communities under certain conditions set by a court.

Question 9

Probationers continue to account for the largest proportion of persons under corrections supervision, with ______ of all convicted offenders being on probation.
A) 32%
B) 78%
C) 58%
D) 12%

Accepted Answer

Probationers represent the largest group under corrections supervision, with 58% of all convicted offenders being on probation. This is because probation serves as an alternative to incarceration, allowing individuals to live in their communities under specific conditions.

Question 10

What group makes up the largest segment of the correctional population?
A) parolees
B) probationers
C) prison inmates
D) jail inmates

Accepted Answer

Probationers make up the largest segment of the correctional population. This is because probation allows individuals convicted of crimes to remain in the community under supervision instead of serving time in prison or jail, making it a common sentence for many offenses.

Question 11

Roughly ______ of all probationers are convicted of a felony offense, with the misdemeanor population consisting of 41%.
A) 32%
B) 57%
C) 22%
D) 78%

Accepted Answer

57% of all probationers are convicted of a felony offense, which complements the information that 41% are convicted of a misdemeanor, totaling 100%.

Question 12

Probation systems can be separated into which of the following categories?
A) juvenile
B) county
C) state
D) all of these

Accepted Answer

Probation systems can indeed be categorized into juvenile, county, and state levels, encompassing a broad spectrum of the criminal justice system to manage and rehabilitate offenders in various demographic and jurisdictional contexts.

Question 13

The ______ is a file that includes a wide range of background information on the offender.
A) postsentence investigation report
B) presanction analysis
C) presentence investigation report
D) presentence commission account

Accepted Answer

The presentence investigation report is a document that contains comprehensive background information on the defendant, including criminal history, family background, and other factors, to assist the judge in determining an appropriate sentence.

Question 14

What report tends to serve as a basic foundation for supervision and treatment planning throughout the offender's sentence, both when on probation and later if the offender is incarcerated?
A) presentence investigation
B) preliminary investigation
C) postsentence investigation
D) primary investigation

Accepted Answer

The presentence investigation report is used as a foundational document for supervision and treatment planning throughout an offender's sentence, including both probation and any period of incarceration. It provides comprehensive information about the offender's background, criminal history, and personal circumstances, which aids in making informed decisions regarding their supervision and rehabilitation.

Question 15

According to Neubauer (2007), who does the public perceive as the principal decision maker in criminal court?
A) defense attorney
B) judge
C) prosecutor
D) offender

Accepted Answer

The public perceives the judge as the principal decision maker in criminal court, as judges are often seen as the central figures in courtrooms, making key decisions on legal matters, sentencing, and rulings.

Question 16

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2017) indicate that what percent of all probation officers are female?
A) 34%
B) 48%
C) 55%
D) 63.5%

Accepted Answer

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2017, 63.5% of all probation officers were female.

Question 17

How do probation officers maintain supervision?
A) personal contact with the offender
B) personal contract with the offender's family
C) contact with the offender's employer
D) all of these

Accepted Answer

Probation officers maintain supervision through various means including personal contact with the offender, contact with the offender's family, and contact with the offender's employer to ensure compliance with probation terms and to support rehabilitation efforts.

Question 18

What type of probation officer protects both the offender and the community by providing the offender with assistance as well as praise and blame?
A) welfare worker
B) punitive
C) paternal
D) passive

Accepted Answer

Paternal probation officers balance support and accountability, helping the offender while ensuring community safety, embodying a parental approach that includes both assistance and disciplinary measures.

Question 19

What type of probation officer sees themselves as needing to use threats and punishment in order to gain compliance from the offender?
A) punitive
B) passive
C) welfare worker
D) paternal

Accepted Answer

Punitive probation officers view their role as one where they need to use threats and punishment to ensure compliance from offenders, aligning with a more punitive or punishment-oriented approach to probation supervision.

Question 20

Entry-level probation officers should be in good physical and emotional condition. Most agencies require applicants to be at least ______ years old.
A) 21
B) 18
C) 25
D) 22

Accepted Answer

Most agencies require entry-level probation officers to be at least 21 years old. This age requirement ensures that candidates have reached a level of maturity and possibly have completed relevant education or gained some experience before entering the field.

Quiz 5: Probation and Intermediate Sanctions

What is the most common sanction administered throughout the United States?

What is a control valve mechanism that mitigates the flow of inmates sent directly to the jailhouse?

Probation is a uniquely ______ invention.

The father of modern probation is ______.

What was John Augustus' actual goal?

In many cases, probation sentences are meted out at what level of government?

The majority of offenders tend to commit crimes that are petty, nonserious, or nonviolent. This means that they will tend to qualify for jail or ______.

What are criminal offenders who have been sentenced to a period of correctional supervision in lieu of incarceration?

Probationers continue to account for the largest proportion of persons under corrections supervision, with ______ of all convicted offenders being on probation.

What group makes up the largest segment of the correctional population?

Roughly ______ of all probationers are convicted of a felony offense, with the misdemeanor population consisting of 41%.

Probation systems can be separated into which of the following categories?

The ______ is a file that includes a wide range of background information on the offender.

What report tends to serve as a basic foundation for supervision and treatment planning throughout the offender's sentence, both when on probation and later if the offender is incarcerated?

According to Neubauer (2007) , who does the public perceive as the principal decision maker in criminal court?

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2017) indicate that what percent of all probation officers are female?

How do probation officers maintain supervision?

What type of probation officer protects both the offender and the community by providing the offender with assistance as well as praise and blame?

What type of probation officer sees themselves as needing to use threats and punishment in order to gain compliance from the offender?

Entry-level probation officers should be in good physical and emotional condition. Most agencies require applicants to be at least ______ years old.