Alternatives to Incarceration and Strategies for Support

Only 35% of offenders are incarcerated. The rest are put on probation or parole in order to reduce prison overcrowding, promote rehabilitation, and enhance public safety by monitoring offenders in the community.

There are good reasons for offenders to be put on parole or probation, but there are some common compliance issues such as missed meetings, substance abuse, financial obligations, and employment challenges. These issues create setbacks for people to be rehabilitated.

Rachel Williams is a Probation Officer in White County who is passionate about seeing families rehabilitated.

"A lot of these people don't have support, especially if they just came out of prison," Williams says. "They have nowhere to go."

Nikki Stone, a 100 Families Initiative Advocate in Pope County agrees. She has participants who struggle with paying their court fines and completing their community service because they have probation in multiple counties across the state.

"They have burnt bridges and moved and burnt bridges and moved and burnt bridges and moved again."

This is just one example of individuals who find themselves in a cycle that is difficult to break and need an advocate to support them to prevent incarceration.

So, what can we do to prevent setbacks and help individuals succeed?

Williams says clear communication and expectations, regular check-ins, tailored service referrals, and community engagement are the key strategies she recommends.

Williams has eighteen years of experience in law enforcement. Although her job involves putting people in prison often, Williams says putting people in prison is not her end goal.

"I want these people to get help."