Alternatives to Corrections for Convicts

House Arrest/Ankle Monitors

• A person on house arrest usually has to wear an ankle monitor that sounds an alarm when the person leaves the restricted area, or attempts to remove the monitor. Some monitoring units also detect when the person wearing it consumes alcohol and can send an alert on that as well. By setting up monitors at home and at a work location when permitted by an employer, ankle monitors allow a convict to work but still ensure that he remains at home during curfew hours.
  
  

Probation

• A judge assigns probation as part of a convict's original sentence. It serves as an alternative to incarceration and provides an incentive to stay out of trouble with the law. A typical sentence with probation includes large amounts of suspended jail time. Other conditions of probation often include requirements to pay restitution or to avoid alcohol and drug consumption. Depending on the case, probationers may spend some time in jail or may not have to serve any active time. If the person re-offends, he has to serve the jail time.
  
  

Parole

• Parole boards grant parole, or early release, from prison to those who have been well-behaved in the correctional institution. A person on parole has a parole officer who monitors the convict's behavior after release. Just as in probation, a person on parole must satisfy certain conditions and maintain regular contact with his parole officer. A parolee who commits a new offense or violates the conditions of his release must return to prison for the remainder of his original sentence.
  
  

Treatment

• Rehabilitation seeks to address the underlying issues that contribute to people breaking the law. For some convicts, drug or alcohol abuse clearly plays a large part in their criminal behavior. For those willing to put the effort into beating their addiction some courts offer treatment as an alternative to corrections. Convicts who get this option usually still serve some time in corrections, but serve the last year to two years in a residential treatment program.