Standard Probation

• The probationer must pay a probation service fee to the state of Florida that helps defray the cost of probation officers. Additional court fees may include restitution, fines or other court costs. Some probationers must complete community service hours as a way to give back to local agencies in the community. Churches, homeless shelters and food banks are just a few examples of the places where defendants can work. The agency must be preapproved by the probation officer. Offenders must also attend submit to urinalysis testing as directed and drug or alcohol counseling. Other counseling programs which may be mandated include anger control counseling, parenting classes, life skills classes and mental health counseling.
  
  

Sex Offender Terms

• The strictest terms of probation are given to sex offenders. These conditions include submitting blood for a DNA sample; obeying restrictions on where they live, work and even attend church; getting psychological treatment; following computer restrictions; having limits on contact with minors; obeying curfews; maintaining driving logs; maintaining a physical address; registering as a sex offender; and giving public notification of sex offender status, including address.
  
  

Community Control Supervision

• Community control supervision, known as intensive probation or home arrest in other states, requires the defendant to remain at her residence except to travel to work or activities approved by their probation officer. In addition, these probationers must abide by all other applicable terms of probation and may be visited any hour of the day or night.
  
  

Parole

• According to the Florida Parole Commission, in 1978 the Florida Legislature determined that parole would be based on Objective Parole Guidelines. Criteria and standards based on a prisoner's history and risks provide the basis for parole decisions. The FPC also indicated that in 1983, parole was abolished for any offenders sentenced for crimes committed on or after October 1, 1983. However, there are exceptions to this ruling. Parole-eligible offenders include those who committed a capital felony murder before May 25, 1994, and all prisoners who committed all other capital felonies prior to October 1, 1995.
  
  

Statistics

• According to the Florida Department of Corrections website, 39 percent of all persons sentenced for violent crimes between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2007, were sentenced to probation. The FlDOC also reported that as of June 30, 2007, 37,407 probationers out of 153,692 offenders (24.4 percent) were being supervised because of committing a violent offense.
  
  Based on applicable dates, the FPC related that as of May 2010, about 5,900 inmates who qualify with parole eligibility guidelines.