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 nonviolent and controllable offenders accountable for their crimes.