The discussion notes that criminal justice officials have long sought realistic and workable alternatives to institutionalization, because imprisonment may not only fail to rehabilitate many offenders, it may also worsen their criminal tendencies. The emphasis in recent years has been on involving offenders in programs and facilities based within the community. Probation and parole are the two methods most often used to replace imprisonment with community supervision. A specific type of probation that is either in operation or being considered in almost every State is intensive probation. Recent innovations in probation include house arrest and the use of electronically monitored home confinement. Innovations in parole include shock incarceration, house arrest, and halfway houses. The community correctional center is a multipurpose facility that can provide human services in a community setting. The concepts of restitution and community service have also emerged as alternatives to incarceration. Figure, tables, photographs, discussion and review questions, notes, and 30 references