Evolution of Probation

Today probation is the most common criminal sentence in the U.S. and 73% of individuals under correctional control are on it. It plays a huge role in the modern criminal justice system. But did you know that it wasn't until 1956 that every U.S. state had probation laws?  It is important to know how we got here, and that is why we will explore the three important periods in probation history: Early Probation (1841 – 1970), The Great Shift (1970-1980), and The Rise Strict Correctional Control (1980-2000). Including the time frame from the 2000s to the present time.