The Vera Institute of Justice recently released a toolkit to help local communities shrink jail populations. One suggested strategy is for key stakeholders such as probation officers to acknowledge their power to effect change. For example, probation agencies hold significant decision-making power since they determine when to report for probation violations, when to recommend someone for termination of probation, and what fees an individual must pay to remain in compliance. This toolkit defines the roles of other system decision-makers and community members and highlights recommended actions to decarcerate at the local level.
