The figure in table 1 shows that a large number of offenders had benefited from the probation system but not many among them were juveniles and women.
Out of total probationers (23191), 242 were reported as female, majority 225, of which were from Punjab and 17 were from KP, whereas there were no female probationers in Sindh and Balochistan. From the total 295 juvenile probationers, only two were female. Majority of juveniles 217, were released on probation in Punjab then 45 and 33 in KP and Sindh. There were no juveniles on probation in Balochistan.
Out of total 17 parole officers in Pakistan, there were 4 female Parole Officers, two in Punjab and two in Balochistan. Sindh and KP had no female Parole Officers. Among Male Parole Officers 8 were in Punjab, 2 in KP, 2 in Balochistan and 1 in Sindh. This clearly shows that Parole system has been on the low priority in all provinces of Pakistan as table 2 indicates that out of total prison population in Pakistan (78328), only 191 offenders (male) have got release on parole; the majority (99) of them in Punjab. Although there were four female parole officers in Punjab and Balochistan but unfortunately there were no women on parole in the country. Similarly, there were no juveniles taken on parole.
The above given diagram shows the numbers and percentage of prisoners, probationers and parolees in Pakistan
iii) The place of probation in the correctional program
Basic elements in the correctional programs are:
A postponement of sentence;
Period of re-socialization for the criminal in the community;
The criminal's observance of the conditions imposed by the court, and The supervision of the criminal by the probation officer
Correctional and legal scientists like Panakal J.J and Madhava N.R (1984) think that the concept of probation be shifted entirely form that of the suspended sentence so that the corrective and rehabilitative functions of probation will be emphasized.
The original aim of probation, as Srivastava, S. (1970) states, is “to advise, assist and befriend” criminals whom the court decides to release on probation. It has widened greatly to include preparation for economic and social activity. Probation is based on the belief that encouragement must be given to the criminal not only to be a law-abiding citizens but also to contribute to the development of the local community and society.
Instead of indiscriminate imprisonment, the criminal is released for correctional treatment in the community. This community treatment is, in lieu of imprisonment, which is suspended by giving a chance to the criminal, to restrain and re-educate the probationer. Probation, therefore, attaches great value the influence of the home- and social environment.
Probation is correctional treatment aimed at reshaping the personality of a criminal. It, therefore, is helping the criminal to reshape himself. A fully rehabilitated person is capable of effectively evaluating his or her actions. More importantly, one is able to organize one's life, predict future events, and explain one's actions or conjecture about what will happen under various courses of action.
“Probation is a method of correctional process for the guidance and treatment of the criminal and his family, the discovery and correction of the criminal's personality and character and criminogenic environment, with the help of the resources of the community.”
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