Typically you are right,  but this situation is different.  In these cases the court, as a condition of supervised probation, is requiring mandatory treatment prior to returning to their home community. This treatment (or special condition of probation)  is often only available in larger cities. 

If they don't waive transportation upon release and/or try to return home they would be in violation of probation and will be arrested and remanded back to jail. 

I agree that these folks committed crimes and that we cannot forget about their victims or public safety overall. But forcing someone to stay in Anchorage, often times with no family and even homeless, isn't exactly a great set up for success.