Probation Challenge is the brainchild of the Honorable Judge R. Eugene Pincham  and Rev. Harold E. Bailey, who in 1978, envisioned the program coming down the corridors of time, and into an age where young men and women would have an avenue of escape back into reality through the vehicle of education.

Probation Challenge was implemented in January of 1979 under the auspices of the Cook County court for the express purpose of serious rehabilitation.

Why Probation Challenge?
Most times clients are place into the criminal justice system, and while the theme rehabilitation is abstracted, clients of the system serve time, released, and turned back into society, only to bring the rate of recidivism astronomically high. Seldom is there any emphasis placed on what happens to the client during their stay with the system, yet taxpayers feel change automatically comes about.  Well, it does not!  Simply because most clients are: 1.) unlearned, 2.) unskilled and 3.) socially deprived. They are unable to help themselves in any manner.  Help has to be derived from persons in a better position to see the need.  Probation Challenge steps in!

Most Clients Filtering Through The Criminal Justice System Are
In-Fact:

1. High School Drop Outs
2. From a One (1) Parent Families
3. African Americans, Hispanics and Fewer Caucasians    

Education Brings About Awareness
With mandated education, we are able to constructively deal with an offender's mentality - as he or she is challenged to sit and ponder the ABC's of life.

Education brings about an Awareness - Awareness brings on the ability for a client to think. Thusly he or she  can prayerfully make rational decision

Mandating Judges
The first court mandating Judge was the Honorable R. Eugene Pincham, followed by Judges: Earl Strayhorn, William Cousins, Mary Maxwell Thomas, and others. However, to-date there is Illinois Chapter 38 Criminal Law Procedure.

Judges across the County of Cook are now "Mandating" into the noted Probation Challenge Program

Federal Judge Marshall Salutes Challenge
Federal Judge Prentis Marshall, visited the Cook County Courts to salute the Rev. Harold E. Bailey, and established a fact-finding committee to study the program. The findings supported the Probation Challenge concept.

Probation Challenge Also Educates The Community
Probation Challenge has conducted "Community Awareness Forums" across the city and county, in efforts to bring men and women into the knowledge as to the consequences of crime.  The program promoted education opposed to a life of incarceration.  Many forums have been via Television, Internet and Radio.

Program Acclaimed
Probation Challenge has been acclaimed throughout the country and abroad.  The program has received attention by way of print and electronic media and has been the subject of many articles across the country. The program has been featured on "Good Morning America", a portion of "60 minutes", Channel 7's "Someone You Should Know" and others.

Saluted for Work with Program
The Rev. Harold E. Bailey was saluted in Israel in 1994 - for his work with the Probation Challenge program.  Awards are too numerous to mention.

Legislators Visit Probation Challenge
Legislators from across the nation convened in Chicago, and representatives from that body viewed and applauded the Probation Challenge program. Many said they would  seek out the possibility of implementing the program in their various states.  With the group representing Illinois were: Former State Representatives Carol Mosley Braun, Ethel Alexander, and others from various states.