9.3. Probation 
DAVID CARTER 
Probation is arguably the oldest ,and certainly the largest, of the intermediate sanctions. Its roots stem 
from concepts of common law from England, like many of our other legal/correctional practices. In early 
American courts, a person was able to be released on their own recognizance, if they promised to be 
responsible citizens and pay back what they owed. In the early 1840s, John Agustus, a Boston bootmaker 
was regularly attending court and began to supervise these individuals as a Surety. A Surety was a person 
who would help these individuals in court, making sure they repaid these costs to the courts. We would 
consider John Augustus as the Father of Probation, for this work in the courts in Boston in the 1840s and 
1850s. Augustus, pictured below, would take in many of these individuals, providing options like work and 
housing, to help ensure these individuals would remain crime free and pay back society. He continued this 
practice for nearly two decades, effectively becoming the first probation officer. For a more lengthy historical 
discussion of probation, see the history of probation at https://probation.smcgov.org/history-probation. 
 
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