What are community corrections programs?
This article was updated on June 15, 2024.
Written by Michael Feder
Reviewed by Christina Neider, EdD, Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Community-based corrections programs are alternatives to traditional incarceration that propose a way to rehabilitate inmates and provide them with a more well-rounded life. These programs are more often used when the inmate isn’t violent or if the offender has served their time and is on parole.
Proponents of community corrections believe these programs are more effective than prison time in many cases, as a community-based approach humanizes inmates and gives them the responsibility to care for others in the area where they live and work.
What are community corrections goals?
As the prison population has grown in the U.S., many states have begun implementing corrections programs to reduce recidivism rates and keep people from returning to prison. These programs offer participants opportunities for reintegration into society and access to education, employment, healthcare services, and mental health care.
Community-based corrections programs are designed to address the needs of incarcerated people and the communities where they live. The programs may strive for objectives such as:
- Stronger social networks in the communities that support formerly incarcerated individuals
- Improved mental health for formerly incarcerated individuals
- Educational opportunities and learning experiences for individuals in correctional facilities
Who can benefit from community-based corrections programs?
Community-based corrections programs provide opportunities for individuals to reenter society as rehabilitated citizens after they serve their sentence. These programs are not only designed to help offenders but also for their families and communities.
Corrections programs offer various services, including substance abuse treatment, mental health diagnosis and counseling, employment assistance, housing opportunities, and social support networks. The programs combine individualized attention with community participation.
Types of community-based corrections programs
There are multiple types of community-based corrections programs, including:
- Probation: According to the late Joan Petersilia, a renowned professor of criminology, law, and society at the University of California, Irvine, probation as a community-based corrections program has become more proactive with goals that include reducing criminality, promoting public safety, and providing offender rehabilitation. Community supervision has also become an essential component of this newer probation model. Dr. Petersilia noted that probationers are teaming up with other agencies to provide “wrap-around services,” such as substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, and employment assistance.
- Parole: Often, parole supervision provides an offender with some degree of freedom and the ability to reintegrate into society, but it isn’t an uninterrupted release back into the world. To be eligible for parole, prisoners generally must serve at least one-third of their sentence and have a record of good behavior. Because of its limited scope, many courts don’t often consider parole as sufficient oversight for offenders who pose a potential risk to public safety or general welfare.
- Work release: A work-release program offers certain inmates the opportunity to leave prison for a specified period each day to work or complete other activities under supervision. Work release allows inmates to maintain employment, improve their skills and education and build a support network outside the prison. This often occurs near the end of an inmate’s sentence. Work release is considered a privilege, not a right.
- Study release: This option allows offenders a certain amount of time outside the correctional facility to study or pursue academic goals under supervision. Study release is ideal for offenders who are motivated and working toward self-improvement and academic pursuits but require resources, tools or support the correctional facility cannot provide.
- Furloughs: A furlough is a form of temporary, supervised release from prison for a specific purpose, such as medical treatment, family visitation or on-the-job training.
- Halfway houses: Halfway houses provide addiction treatment, as well as counseling options for offenders who formerly had substance-use issues.
What is the outlook for the future of community corrections programs?
The future of community-based corrections programs is uncertain. They have been successful in many ways, but major obstacles and challenges remain.
Legislation has been proposed in some states to alleviate the negative effects of incarceration on long-term inmates. For example, Assembly Bill A2323 in the New York State Senate proposes an increase in funding to support postsecondary correctional education. The bill was created based on studies that showed a direct correlation between the education level of inmates and their ability to attain stable employment.
Careers and volunteer opportunities in community-based corrections
Many people know about the benefits of being a community corrections officer, but few people know about the many other rewarding career opportunities in community-based corrections and correctional support services.
From justice and security administrators to healthcare providers to educators, several roles are crucial in a community-based correctional facility.
Community corrections is not just for those who want to fight crime — it’s also for those who feel called to help others experiencing chronic issues related to mental health or substance use. These professionals often have an educational background in criminal justice, counseling or behavioral science, and may hold a certification in their field.
Many positions within community corrections require some work experience in the field, whether it be in a similar position or with a related organization, such as the juvenile justice system or substance abuse treatment facilities.
Community corrections provide an alternative path to incarceration that may help criminal offenders build skills necessary to reenter the community successfully and live productively.
What degree can I get to prepare for a career in criminal justice or community corrections?
If you are interested in community corrections and learning more about the criminal justice system, University of Phoenix offers six degrees for criminal justice to consider.
- Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice — This 2-year criminal justice degree online program, in which courses are just five weeks, teaches enforcement, sociology and communication skills. No SAT requirements to apply.
- Bachelor of Science in Correctional Program Support Service — This program equips students with skills to manage cases, facilitate programs and address the needs of people impacted by the criminal justice system.
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration — This program teaches skills to prepare for administrative responsibilities in law enforcement, criminal courts and corrections. There is a strong emphasis in communication, problem-solving, research and operations.
- Bachelor of Science in Public Administration — This online public administration degree program prepares for roles in both the public and private sectors and covers everything from civil leadership, business and governmental law to finance and budgeting.
- Master of Public Administration — This public administration online master's program focuses on teaching leadership, communication and problem-solving skills. It also emphasizes learning public policy and developing financial management skills.
- Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security — This program combines administrative training, policy development and problem-solving skills to prepare you for roles in law enforcement, corporate security and infrastructure security.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Christina Neider is the dean of the University of Phoenix College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Neider’s career spans more than 30 years in academia, healthcare and the U.S. Air Force. She has held several academic leadership roles at University of Phoenix, and she is the Vice President of membership for the Arizona Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.
This article has been vetted by University of Phoenix's editorial advisory committee.
Read more about our editorial process.
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