The concept of "putting behind bars" refers to the act of incarcerating or imprisoning someone. The antonyms of this phrase would be words or phrases that describe the opposite of imprisonment, such as "releasing," "setting free," or "liberating." Instead of punishing a person by imprisoning them, the antonyms suggest a different approach that may involve reforming, rehabilitating, or forgiving the individual. Other possible antonyms could include "pardoning," "acquitting," or "exonerating," which imply that the person is found not guilty of wrongdoing and should not face any penalty. Overall, the antonyms for "putting behind bars" offer alternative ways of dealing with criminal behavior that focus on compassion, fairness, and social justice.