Within the past decade, the field of corrections has moved from one extreme, the punitive approach, to the other, commonly referred to as the medical model. Today, the pendulum is moving closer to the middle of this continuum. It is recognized that offenders are sentenced by the courts for several reasons, including punishment, incapacitation, deterrence, and opportunity to change behavior patterns. It is acknowledged that little is known concerning the causes of crime and how to cure offenders. A lack of balance has caused many of the problems in the corrections field, particularly concerning probation, parole, and institutional programs. Nevertheless, significant progress has been made; the majority of offenders today are on parole, probation, and in halfway houses, and more offenders have been moved from institutions to community programs. To achieve greater balance, programs must be developed that span the continuum from unsupervised probation for the minor first offender to maximum security institutions for the violent dangerous criminal. No one program can be the ultimate solution to the problems of crime and delinquency. The final responsibility to change rests with each individual.