CRIM 100 - CHAP 14: alternatives to incarceration

boot camp

short-term jail/prison program that puts offenders through rigorous regimens to instill discipline

• basically like military boot camp

• research has shown them to be ineffective

probation

• most common form of criminal sentencing

• the convict remains out of jail or prison and in the community while subject to conditions and supervision of the probation authority

• a suspended sentence

diversion programs

• when offenders are directed to alternative programs and away from incarceration

• for 1st time, non-violent offenders

• least stigmatizing

• ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) is example of DUI one in PA

community corrections

corrections that keep people in the community and provide alternatives to incarceration — parole, day centers, probation, AA

day reporting center

corrections program that requires offenders to check in daily at a community site for supervision, programs, etc 

• purpose is to heighten control & increase access to treatment

electronic monitering

duh

• 2 types: radio frequency & GPS

halfway house

house/program that counsels ex-prisoners as they transition from prison → community

• made by US attorney Robert Kennedy

• most research show them to be effective

• an INTERMEDIATE SANCTION to teacher

house arrest

duh

intensive supervision probation & parole

post-release supervision that includes much closer & stricter supervision

• diversive program vs enhancement program

• probation on steriods basically

intermediate sanctions

sanctions in between freedom and prison — no consensus on the definition or what is under the umbrella

examples: ISP, split sentencing, drug testing, house arrest & EM, fines, community service, boot camp, shock probation

What sanctions does teacher not include in intermediate sanctions?

fines & community service

restorative justice

view that crime affects the community, and to heal, the offender must transform themselves 

• victim-driven & emphasizes transforming the convicted person

• remorse, community service, restitution

revocation

process where probation/parole is revoked and the offender is sent to prison

shock parole/probation

“shock” or brief period of incarceration followed by probation/parole to turn offenders into law-abiding citizens 

• judge knows they’re going to give probation, but the offender doesn’t, so they send them to jail for a sec to warning/scare them

substantive violations

where an allegation causes someone in parole/probation to be arrested for a new criminal offense 

technical violations

when someone in parole/probation violates certain conditions that must be obeyed to stay out of prison — BIGGEST IS + DRUG TEST

probation: fail to pay fines, miss meetings, failing drug test

parole: possess weapon, not reporting house/employment changes

Reasons why alternatives to incarceration are supported

1 less expensive 

2 remain in community → increase rehabilitation → lower recidivism 

3 take advantage of treatment 

4 avoid neg effects of prison

5 maintain ties w/ social networks

PRISON OVERCROWDING

What capacity % did CA operate at at one point?

150% capacity in 2012

How many people are is community corrections?

around 5 million people

If someone has an indeterminate sentence of 15-20 years, and they get early release after 17 years, how many years of parole will they have?

max = 20, served = 17, 20 - 17 = 3 years of parole

4 categories of community corrections

1 diversion

2 probation

3 intermediate sanctions

4 parole

• as you go down supervision increases

What is the leading option of incarceration alternatives?

probation

Father of probation

John Augustus, boston cobbler, got drunkards from going to prison

founder of parole

Alexander Maconochie — philosophy was to reform incarcerated people

parole → french “parol” → word of honor

Factors when evaluating probation eligibility

1 nature/seriousness of crime

2 weapon & degree of harm

3 participation (active vs passive)

4 prior record

5 prior success/failure of probation

Factors when evaluating parole eligibility

1 aggravating/mitigating circumstances

2 statements in court

3 attitude to victim & crime

4 prior record

5 participation in institutional programs

Who are the most important people parole boards talk to?

victims, assess their needs and how dangerous it would be to set the offender free

What % of total arrests were people under parole/probation is CSG study?

22%, most likely for drug offenses, after 11 month period it went by 40% (61% parole, 25% probation)

Probation officer

• “front end” of continuum

• supervise those in probation (suspended prison sentences)

• report to court, seek assistance from community, use electronic monitering

Parole officer

• “back end” of continuum

• supervise those who have been released from prison on parole & adjust them back into society 

• plan housing, employment, etc

• inform and discuss with parole board

Risk need responsivity model

• risks = antisocial behavior, trouble @ work, unhealthy relationships

• once risks are identified, treatment can be used

• 1st step is to determining how to break recidivism cycle, assess person’s risk of reoffending

net widening

b/c we’ve added lower-level sanctions, we’re starting to pull in more minor-offense people when they were ignored before