What is community control?

Community control, also known as community supervision or probation, is a form of punishment and rehabilitation for individuals who have committed a crime. It involves the oversight of an offender by a probation officer within the community, rather than serving time in jail or prison.

Community control typically involves several conditions that the offender must adhere to, such as attending counseling or therapy, maintaining employment, avoiding drugs and alcohol, completing community service, and regularly meeting with their probation officer. Failure to comply with these conditions can result in sanctions or revocation of community control, leading to incarceration.

The goal of community control is to help offenders reintegrate back into society and reduce the likelihood of reoffending. It offers offenders the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions, make positive changes in their behavior, and contribute positively to their communities.

Community control is often used for non-violent or low-risk offenders as an alternative to incarceration, as it can be more cost-effective and allow individuals to remain with their families and maintain their jobs. However, it is not suitable for all offenders, particularly those who pose a high risk to public safety.