Probation - Definition and Overview

Probation is the suspension of a prison or jail sentence - the criminal who is "on probation" has been convicted of a crime, but instead of serving prison time, has been found by the Court to be amenable to probation and will be returned to the community for a period in which they will have to abide to certain conditions set forth by the Court under the supervision of a Probation Officer. General conditions may include maintaining employment, abiding to a curfew, living where directed, abstaining from unlawful behavior and following the probation officer's orders.

Usually the offender is supervised by a probation officer, to monitor their performance during the probation period. The probation officer helps the offender to adapt to living in the community; to guide and help them to behave in a lawful and responsible way.

The concept of probation was first enacted in the late 19th Century by John Augustus, cobbler by trade, in the city of Boston, MA.

Example Usage of Probation