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1. What is probation?

Probation is an alternative to incarceration that permits offenders to live and work in the community, support their families, receive rehabilitative services and make restitution to the victims of their crimes. It also addresses juvenile crime with early intervention for youth at risk.

Probation is the single most used criminal punishment in the United States today.

When carefully administered and applied only to those who can safely be monitored in the community, it causes rehabilitation and reintegration of the offender into society, ultimately helping to reduce crime.

2. Why do we need probation?

The unprecedented growth in the nation's prison population has placed a heavy economic burden on taxpayers in terms of the cost to build, maintain, and operate prisons. According to the United States Justice Department, over 2 million Americans are behind bars. This represents nearly six times as many inmates as we had in 1970.

Society must incarcerate serious and violent offenders who endanger the community. However, probation is a cost effective alternative that holds non-violent and controllable offenders accountable for their crimes.

3. Is probation the same as parole?

Parole is a conditional release of a prisoner before the end of sentence. Probation is an alternative to incarceration for selected defendants who meet certain criteria.