Essay on Exploring Alternatives to Prison Sentences: Benefits for Community, Victims and State

Introduction

Alternative sanctions refer to the other forms of punishment for convicted criminals besides time in prison. These options place severe demands on offenders that require intensive community and court supervision. This form of punishment does not necessarily translate to a slap on the wrist just because it does not involve time in prison. Exploring other ways of incarceration offers several benefits to the community, victims, and the state. For instance, it allows for the treatment of the mentally ill or drug-addicted, repairs the damage suffered by victims, and rehabilitates offenders. Additionally, alternative incarceration helps to reduce prison costs and, to an extent, helps to prevent additional crimes in the future (Bailey, 2003). However, there are some essential factors to consider in selecting an alternative. The elements are cost-effectiveness and recidivism reduction benefits of the other options. The courts should develop mechanisms to provide alternative incarceration for specific offenses to reduce crowding in prisons, reduce recidivism, and cut the cost of incarceration.

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Historical and Economic Reasons

Historical Reasons

Courts have started to review the punishment options for offenders that commit low-level crimes. Cases of drug abuse and mental illness should be addressed using means designed to help the victims instead of sending them to jail where they will go untreated. The first drug court in the U.S was established in 1989, and the model's success has inspired the implementation of 946 courts with over 400 others on the planning stage (Johnson, 2009). Mental illness courts were also founded in 1997, following the success of drug courts (Johnson, 2009). Research has shown that the effectiveness of these alternative courts has spurred the growth of these institutions.

Economic Reasons

Amid budgetary constraints facing states, there is a need to invest in community-based alternatives to incarceration. The high number of correctional populations is one of the contributors to the high cost of managing the juveniles and criminal justice systems. Some of the ways that states can cut costs are by reducing the incarceration of nonviolent youths and adults, improve parole policies, and expand access to treatment. According to Johnson (2009), states incur costs of over $5 billion annually by imprisoning the youth, and the majority are held for nonviolent offenses. However, instead of incarceration, these youths could be handled safely in the community through alternatives. This approach would cost the states substantially less and help to reduce recidivism by up to 22 percent (Johnson, 2009). The other options help to reduce crime more cost-effectively compared to incarceration and yield benefits of $13 for every dollar spent (Johnson, 2009).

Alternatives to Incarceration

Residential Programs

Residential programs provide customized treatment programs for the youth. These programs entail mental health, substance abuse, and sex offender treatment. These programs are for youths that cannot be safely returned to their homes and should not be in secure detention. According to Austin et al. (2005), these programs have minimal rates of new offenses and below 10 percent of cases of running away. This alternative has been implemented in places like Cook County in Illinois, which gave the outcomes presented above.

Diversion

This alternative was established due to the rising concerns of the worsening conditions of the crowded juvenile institutions. This program entails diverting the youth from traditional forms of incarceration into the various types of alternative treatment and supervision. Studies have shown that this model has had positive results in reducing recidivism. Among the areas where recidivism rates decreased was in Massachusetts due to the proper implementation of the community-based programs (Austine, Johnson & Weitzer, 2005).

Intensive Supervision Programs

Intensive Supervision programs mainly function as alternatives to confinement. In San Francisco, a model program called the Detention Diversion Advocacy Program provides a rehabilitative treatment that is tailored to the unique needs of offenders. Studies have shown that this program helps to reduce recidivism compared to secure detention (Austine et al., 2005).

Benefits of Alternative Incarceration

Alternative sentencing has numerous benefits to both the offenders and the community. One of the advantages is that it provides the offenders with an opportunity to rehabilitate and see the harm of their crimes to the victims. During this time, young offenders get the chance to adjust their behavior and become better members of society (Austine et al., 2005). The society also benefits from alternative sanctions to the reduced rates of recidivism. This factor ensures that the communities become safer and the youth more productive. Additionally, during alternative sentencing, the young people come into contact with mentors that might direct into better paths in life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, an alternative incarceration is a beneficial approach in dealing with petty offenders. Certain crimes among the youth do not warrant secure confinement since it robs an integral part of their life. The cost of incarceration is usually high and strains the budget of most states. Alternative sanctions have been proven to reduce the rate of recidivism and help the youth to change their behavior. The approach also benefits the community through improved safety and making the delinquents better members of society. Therefore, nonviolent and first-time offenders should be put under alternative sentencing programs to avoid crowding of prisons and to reduce the burden of incarceration cost on the economy.

References

Austin, J., Johnson, K. D., & Weitzer, R. (2005). Alternatives to the Secure Detention and Confinement of Juvenile Offenders. Juvenile Justice Bulletin, 7(2), 1-29. Retrieved February 29, 2020, from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/208804.pdf

Bailey, D. S. (2003, July). Alternatives to incarceration. American Psychological Association, 34(7), 54. Retrieved February 29, 2020, from https://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug03/alternatives

Johnson, L. (2009, May 19). New Reports Highlight Economic Benefits of Alternatives to Incarceration. Retrieved February 29, 2020, from http://www.justicepolicy.org/news/1929