“More black men are in prison or jail, on probation or on parole than were enslaved in 1850, before the civil war began,” informed Michelle Alexander author of the bestseller, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. This is an alarming statistic and equally disturbing. Often we see celebrity after celebrity being incarcerated because they have violated this privilege. You can’t afford to do it!!! Just because you are out of prison does not mean you are free! The courts have given you this privilege to see how you will handle freedom. If you violate this privilege, they will not hesitate to fine you heavily and or put you back in prison. Be smart this time…think, discipline yourself and follow the rules. Violation of probation is the main reason the recidivism rate is at its height. People are in and out of prison because they have carelessly violated their probation. Think about this…One in three black men between the ages of 20 and 29 is under correctional supervision or control. This includes probation and parole.
What does it take to violate probation?
The laws are different in each state but equally serious. A violation is if you ignore, avoid or break the terms of your probation at any time during the probation period. This includes:
1. Not appearing during a scheduled court appearance.
2. Not reporting to your probation officer at a scheduled place and time.
3. Not pay fines as ordered by the court.
4. Travelling out of state without permission from your probation officer.
5. Visiting certain people and places.
6. Possessing, using, or selling drugs.
7. Getting arrested for a traffic violation.
How to Avoid This..
Yes, emergencies do happen. Illness and death of family members are part of life but you have to remember that your first obligation is to the courts. You have to respect your privilege of parole or probation and treat it as such. That is how the courts see it. If you cooperate with your probation officer then he will cooperate with you. Make sure you report or call and keep a record of who you spoke with when an emergency comes up. Discipline yourself and walk this line.
Remember, probation violation is a threat to the quality of your life and those who love you. Show them that you have grown, have become mature, and can respect boundaries. If you have a question about what you are about to do, then don’t do it!!!. Err on the side of being too cautious. After all, when this is all over, you will have developed some healthy habits that will take you happily throughout life. Good Luck and God Bless!
