American exceptionalism in parole release and supervision: a European perspective

Van Zyl Smit, Dirk; Corda, Alessandro

Abstract

This chapter focuses on American exceptionalism in parole release and supervision. It first establishes a clear understanding of what is meant by granting parole and parole supervision in the United States and Europe within the respective sentencing schemes and then gives a comparative statistical picture. The chapter then considers the history of parole on both sides of the Atlantic, before examining and comparing current policies in the United States and Europe in more detail. The principal finding is that European parole, unlike its American counterparts, is dominated by a discourse that stresses and highlights human dignity and procedural justice rather than public safety. In the American discourse, by contrast, there is less emphasis on the rights of parolees. Parole decision-making and supervision are mainly shaped by risk aversion. To conclude, this chapter reflects on whether European ideals for parole may take root in the United States.

Citation

Van Zyl Smit, D., & Corda, A. (2017). American exceptionalism in parole release and supervision: a European perspective. In K. R. Reiitz (Ed.), American Exceptionalism in Crime and Punishment (410-486). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190203542.001.0001

• Acceptance Date: May 3, 2016
• Publication Date: Dec 21, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jul 14, 2016
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 410-486
• Book Title: American Exceptionalism in Crime and Punishment
• Chapter Number: 10
• ISBN: 9780190203542
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190203542.001.0001
• Keywords: parole release; parole; parole supervision; United States; Europe; sentencing scheme; history or parole; European parole; American parole
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/791655
• Publisher URL: http://www.oxfordscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780190203542.001.0001/oso-9780190203542
• Related Public URLs: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/american-exceptionalism-in-crime-and-punishment-9780190203542?cc=gb&lang=en&#
• Contract Date: Jul 14, 2016