Probable Efficacy of Alternatives to Incarceration

Alternatives to Prison

Over the last 30 years, the prison population in the United States has increased exponentially. For instance, California's prison population has increase eightfold, from 20,000 prisoners in the early 1970's to more that 160,000 in the early 2000's. (Haney) In Texas, from just 1992 to 1997 the prison population doubled, adding an additional 70,000 prisoners. (Haney) Because of the massive overpopulation in America's prisons, there have been advances in alternatives which allow for sentences other than incarceration.

Since many of those incarcerated in prisons are there for non-violent offenses, there are some who advocate that non-violent criminals be allowed alternatives to prison. The benefits of such alternatives are that they give courts more options, they save taxpayers money, strengthen families and communities, reduce crime, and are supported by the public. ("Alternatives to Incarceration Fact Sheet.")

One type of alternative to prison is what is referred to as "boot camps." According to professional sociologists, there are three advantages to boot camps; "Prisoners are released sooner, their rate of re-incarceration is lower and, if they do return to prison, they are less likely to have committed a serious crime such as robbery or murder." (Blaum) Prison boot camps are run like military-style boot camps and are usually reserved for younger offenders who are more likely to respond to the discipline and order of the camp. By being in the camp, prisoners usually are allowed a reduction in their sentences by up to 6 months. (Blaum)

Another alternative is the concept of "drug courts;" which would concentrate on substance abuse related crimes and focus on treatment rather than punishment. Probation, also called community corrections, is another alternatives and can include a number of different options to keep an offender out of prison. There is Intensive Supervisory Probation (ISP) in which offenders are released from prison but kept in a "half-way" house. There the offenders are intensively monitored and must maintain "fulltime employment, pay taxes, abide by a strict curfew, remain drug and alcohol free, pay court-ordered fines, child support," as well as other restrictions and responsibilities. ("ISP Fact sheet")

There is also another form of probation called "house arrest," where the offender is allowed to live at their personal residence, but have their movements restricted by a monitoring device which is usually attached to the offender's ankle. This device emits a radio signal and if the offender leaves the house without permission, a signal alerts authorities. ("What are house arrest and electronic monitoring") Some systems also contain a GPS tracking device that can monitor the offender's location at all times.