[Does Probation Work]
M.W. Guzy, "A Second Chance-Five times," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 19, 1999, Sec. C, page 19, column 2.

S.I.S. (Suspended Imposition of Sentence) is a diversion method which places defendants on probation rather than behind bars. The idea is to give first-timers a true second chance; if they successfully complete probation, their record remains clean. In the case study provided, judges gave the accused 5 second chances ranging from one to five years each. In fact, three of them ran simultaneously. And, because he had not been convicted of any crimes, the accused was able to pass a background check in order to buy a high-powered rifle; at least until an alert FBI agent noticed he was on probation.

• Are there circumstances which would justify "another" second chance for someone who had already received probation for the first offense?
• What steps could be taken to maintain the S.I.S. concept while making it more difficult to take advantage of?

[Does Probation Work]
Eleanor Yang, "County's Approach Helping Drug Offenders," The Los Angeles Times, July 26, 1999.

It is widely accepted that the close supervision provided by probation can prevent drug-addicted criminals from becoming repeat offenders. Orange County, California, has created a drug court system based on this notion which provides intense monitoring along with social and health care services. The result is that recidivism is down to 22 percent as opposed to 34 percent for those in the regular court system. The national average for recidivism among drug court cases is 30 percent.

• Why is recidivism such a good indicator of the efficacy of probation/diversion programs?
• What other community benefits may be gained by drug court systems such as the one in Orange County?