It’s all about the money: an exploration of probation fees

The goal of this research was to explore how the probation requirement to pay supervision fees affects the experiences of probation. Using qualitative methods, I reveal how probation fees affected probationers’ lives in and out of probation and how these experiences may undermine probation goals. Forty-six individuals on probation were interviewed or participated in focus groups. Findings demonstrate how the probation fees were a source of constant stress that led to probation extensions, additional sanctions, and fears of probation being revoked for nonpayment. The findings highlight the pressure on probationers and focus on ways in which this probation condition may overshadow other probation goals.