ДОБРОВОЛНИ ПРОБАЦИОННИ СЛУЖИТЕЛИ. СРАВНИТЕЛЕН АНАЛИЗ НА ИЗПЪЛНЕНИЕТО НА НАКАЗАНИЕТО ПРОБАЦИЯ В ЕВРОПА И АЗИЯ

Abstract

To bring crime explosion under control, new prisons and longer sentences will not be enough. In addition to tougher law enforcement, we need to find ways to turn former criminals into law-abiding citizens. The prison overcrowding is a clear evidence for the lack of implementation of alternatives of imprisonment, such as probation. The study highlights the advantages of punishment without imprisonment, in particular probation. It examines the occurrence of this punishment and its adaptation to the legal systems In Europe. The article explores Japan’s long standing tradition in Volunteer Probation Officers system. Although the nature and purpose of the two models are quite similar, the way in which this punishment is executed in Japan and Europe is radically different. The most important difference is the role of voluntary probation officers. In Europe, probation is carried out by qualified civil servants, while the Japanese model is radically opposed - the main activities are assigned to volunteers, while the minor part is carried out by civil servants. A system based on the Japanese model of voluntary probation officers is difficult to adopt in Western societies. But in the context of limited financial resources, in many countries, and in particular in theory, it is discussed the possibility some activities to be assigned to individuals or volunteers.