Assignment task:
Provide one response for this post.
I'd say the pros to a statewide probationary system would be that people won't have criminal records, making it easy to get jobs. After getting in trouble with law enforcement (depending on what a person is being charged with) you now have a record. It will be harder for jobs to hire you and sometimes you have to wait certain periods of time before it gets expunged off your record. With probation you'll be limited in things you do but you won't have a harsh record. Offenders can also receive the help they need whether it's counseling or more behavioral support during probation versus going to prison where they will be with other offenders who haven't changed since being locked up. It will also be less cost effective for states because they won't have a lot of people in jail, most jails are overcrowded which means they would have to hire more people but if more people are just on probation it will reduce the people needed to run these facilities.
Cons to a probationary system would be some people would abuse the fact that they have freedom and most likely to commit a crime again. They will think that they 'got off the hook' and not take it serious especially if they committed a harsh crime. If a lot of people are on probation that means the need for probation officers will go up as well. People could also feel unsafe in their neighborhoods due to people not going to jail/prison, it could cause more chaos than good. Also many offenders could also not effectively change their behaviors, they could just continue to do what they think is right without getting the proper help.