Shackled But Strong: The female fight for freedom on probation

Her sentence didn't end in court, it followed her home

Her sentence didn’t end in court—it followed her home.

For many women, probation is anything but a break. It’s a daily battle against stigma, surveillance, poverty, and emotional exhaustion.

In Shackled but Strong, author Steven Doornbos shines a powerful light on the unique struggles faced by women on probation—and the quiet resilience that carries them through it. With deeply human stories, accessible tools, and a compassionate lens, this book explores:

• How probation affects women differently than men

• The emotional toll of shame, isolation, and survival

• Cultural barriers, racial injustice, and systemic inequality

• Practical tools to manage, organize, and thrive under supervision

• True stories of women who turned their pain into power

More than a guidebook, Shackled but Strong is a call to compassion—and a powerful reminder that no matter the sentence, a woman’s strength can never be shackled.