Answer to Question 1
Parole could be improved if there was an effective way to analyze the factors that predict parole success or failure and build effective programs around those results. Effective programs are built around personal conditions, rehabilitation and counseling support, employment and training support, social networking, and accommodations. Parole may also be improved if parole officers could incorporate neighborhood parole supervision and establish and test reentry courts and community partnerships, as well as establishing a procedure for ex-prisoners to regain full citizenship.
Answer to Question 2
The majority of offenders do not successfully complete parole. It is particularly unsuccessful for chronic offenders. One of the main reasons parole is not successful is because the prison system does not sufficiently address the psychological and economic problems that lead offenders to recidivism. Even with rehabilitation efforts, most offenders leave prison as the same undereducated, unemployable, drug-using person. They typically return to the same neighborhood and issues that they came from upon leaving prison, which makes it difficult for behavior changes. Other offenders are released and do not have any home to go to, so they live on the streets or in homeless shelters and don't have the training or skills to gain employment.