The Steep Price of Probation in Missouri

A late-night fast-food run led to a nearly 5-year ordeal for Jason DeFriese, a college junior who was stopped for speeding and charged with driving under the influence in March 2013. Jason was put on probation, administered by Private Correction Services (PCS), a private probation company in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He and his family spent $10,000 on probation-related costs. A number of states allow private probation companies to supervise probation for minor crimes, such as traffic offenses. These companies make all their profits from the people they supervise, and have a financial interest in…

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