In prison you have no freedom, but no responsiblities. With probation you have fake freedom with a bunch of extra shit you have to do - and pay for - yourself.

This is from NC, but look at "Common violations": https://www.browninglonglaw.com/library/common-violations-an...

Miss an appointment because of a car accident? Probation violation.

Miss a court hearing due to traffic? Probation violation.

Don't pay fines or restitution because you're broke? Probation violation.

Miss community service because you're sick? Probation violation.

Not employed because the economy is in the shitter and no one will hire a felon? Probation violation.

There are so many ways to get fucked that are out of your control and the punishment can be prison anyway.

So it's all the downsides of prison - because you can still end up there - but with a bunch of extra life disrupting headaches that are super stressful because the consequences are harsh. And you have to pay for all of it yourself.

Like I said, I know a cop that would take prison over probation.

A cop.

If your freedom means anything to you than prison and probation aren't even comparable. This is silly. It's very basic, either you have some freedoms, or you have none.

Why do you think the convicted (their representation) push for probation over jail time?

Saying things aren't comparable is just bad faith.

Well, no problem: if you really feel that way, then you can just violate the terms immediately and get sent to prison.

People literally do that for that reason.

by the same logic you could argue that prison is strictly worse than probation, because you can always swap probation for prison by violating it. and yet, most people at least try to satisfy the terms of probation when given a choice.

"by the same logic"

Ah yes, the phrase that invariably preceedes a strawman fallacy.

Yeah they force you to do things that regular people do. Be on time, keep a job, and pay your bills. It's just terrible.

The consequence for those isn't going to prison.

Isn't snark supposed to be against the rules here?

It’s the alternative to prison. What would you require if it were up to you?

Yeah but in exchange you get to sleep in a bed, eat real food, walk more than 8' in one direction any time you want, and a thousand other life experiences that are better than in prison. The fact that so many prisoners try to get out of prison into probation also undermines your point.