Lesson 9: Alternative to Incarceration

Diversion

in the criminal justice system refers to any program, procedure, or practice that partly or entirely deals with criminal activity outside of the formal criminal justice system (Griffiths, 2019; 2025).

Reintegrative Shame

involves community disapproval of an act, not the individual, wherein stigma is reduced and the individual is encouraged to rejoin society.

Presentence Report (PSR)

is a document prepared by a probation officer after a guilty plea or conviction to assist a judge in determining an appropriate sentence.

Dynamic Risk Factors

changeable,, criminogenic characteristics in an individual’s life—such as substance abuse, negative peer groups, or unemployment—that increase the likelihood of reoffending.

Needs Principle

a foundational concept across several fields, primarily focusing on identifying and addressing specific, fundamental requirements to achieve a goal.

Continuum of Sanctions

is a graduated range of correctional punishments tailored to fit the offender's risk level and crime severity, offering alternatives to traditional incarceration.

Boot Camp Programs

are shock deterrence programs based on a militaristic model wherein the program participants earn privileges and responsibility are subject to drills and strict discipline.

Labelling Theory

focuses on the impact of labels (e.g., criminal, ex-convict, inmate) on individuals and how the stigma that results from some labels can limit prosocial integration and opportunities.

Probation

refers to a sentence imposed on an offender by a criminal court judge that provides for the supervision of the offender in the community by a probation officer, either as an alternative to incarceration or in conjunction with a period of incarceration (Griffiths, 2019; 2025).

Risk Assessment

a proactive, structured process that identifies potential hazards, analyzes the likelihood and severity of harm, and determines appropriate control measures to eliminate or minimize risks.

Actuarial Risk Assessment

a statistical, evidence-based method used to predict the likelihood of future events—such as violent re-offending or insurance claims—by applying mathematical formulas to specific, measurable variables.

Responsivity Principle

dictates that rehabilitation programs should be tailored to an individual’s learning style, motivation, and abilities to maximize treatment effectiveness.

Shock Deterrence Programs

refers to programs that are typically used with young offenders and aimed at providing a brief but intense glimpse into the criminal justice experience. The intent is to scare early offenders.

Scared Straight

refers to a deterrent or juvenile awareness program in which at-risk youth visit a correctional facility where they are then confronted by inmate volunteers with stories about the realities of prison.

Stigmatizing Shame

the focus is on the labeling of the individual as deviant, not the act, wherein deviant status becomes master status.

Pre-employment training model

provide job-ready skills, certifications, and work experience to prepare individuals for employment, often targeting youth, immigrants, or those with employment barriers.

Static Risk Factors

unchangeable historical characteristics—such as criminal history, age at first offense, or gender—that remain constant over time and are used to predict the likelihood of future outcomes like reoffending or health issues.

Risk Principle

correctional interventions should match the intensity of service to an offender's risk of reoffending.

Intermediate Sanctions

is a term used to describe a wide range of correctional programs that generally fall between probation and incarceration.

Rational Choice Theory

offenders are rational decision-makers with free will. Crime is the result of a decision-making process wherein offenders weigh the potential rewards and costs associated with any activity.

Intensive Supervision Probation

is another intermediate sanction that situates itself between traditional probation and incarceration by increasing the conditions and supervision experienced by offenders on probation.