Assignment: Alternatives to Incarceration
Juvenile crime is a significant concern in the United States, with millions of juveniles processed through the juvenile court system each year. While detention or incarceration may be necessary in some cases, many courts are increasingly turning to alternatives to incarceration. This paper explores the historical and economic reasons for alternatives to incarceration and examines three alternatives commonly used in juvenile courts. Additionally, this paper discusses the societal and individual benefits of alternatives to incarceration.
Historical and Economic Reasons for Alternatives to Incarceration
The overcrowding of prisons and jails is one significant reason for the increased use of alternatives to incarceration (Burns, 2018). Overcrowding has led to a shortage of resources, including space and staff, which can lead to substandard living conditions and inadequate rehabilitation programs for inmates. Additionally, incarceration is costly, and the high cost of incarceration has made alternatives to incarceration an attractive option for jurisdictions seeking to reduce costs (Mears & Cochran, 2015).
Research has also demonstrated the effectiveness of alternatives to incarceration in reducing recidivism rates among juvenile offenders (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2019). By addressing the underlying issues that contribute to criminal behavior, alternatives such as probation, community service, and restitution can provide offenders with the resources and support necessary to make positive changes in their lives.
Alternatives to Incarceration for Juvenile Offenders
Probation is one of the most common alternatives to incarceration for juvenile offenders. It involves a court-ordered program that requires offenders to meet with a probation officer on a regular basis. The probation officer monitors the offender’s compliance with court-ordered conditions, which may include avoiding certain individuals or places, attending school, and performing community service (Braga et al., 2022). The goal of probation is to prevent future criminal behavior by providing the offender with resources and support to make positive changes in their lives.
Community service is another alternative to incarceration. It involves a court-ordered program that requires offenders to perform a specified number of hours of community service. This alternative provides offenders with an opportunity to make amends for their actions and contribute positively to their communities. Community service can also help to promote a sense of responsibility and accountability in the offender (Sullivan & Hamilton, 2018).
Restitution is a third alternative to incarceration for juvenile offenders. This program requires offenders to repay their victims or the community for harm caused by their actions (Doyle & Kliem, 2020). The goal of restitution is to provide the offender with a tangible way to make amends for their actions and to help the victim or community recover from the harm that was caused.
Societal and Individual Benefits of Alternatives to Incarceration
There are significant societal and individual benefits to imposing sanctions or punishments that do not involve removing an offender from his or her family or community (Sullivan & Hamilton, 2018). Alternatives to incarceration can be more cost-effective than incarceration. Incarceration is expensive, and alternatives such as probation, community service, and restitution can save taxpayer money while still holding the offender accountable for their actions.
Research has also shown that alternatives to incarceration can help to reduce recidivism rates among juvenile offenders (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2019). By providing the offender with the resources and support necessary to make positive changes in their lives, alternatives to incarceration can help to prevent future criminal behavior. Alternatives to incarceration can also help to preserve the family and community ties of the offender. Incarceration can have a devastating impact on families and communities, especially in cases where the offender is a juvenile. Alternatives such as probation, community service, and restitution can allow the offender to remain connected to their family and community, which can help to promote positive social and emotional development.
According to the Vera Institute of Justice (2019), alternatives to incarceration can address underlying issues that may have contributed to the offender’s criminal behavior. For instance, many juvenile offenders have underlying issues such as substance abuse, mental health problems, or educational deficits. Alternatives such as probation, community service, and restitution can provide the offender with access to resources and support that can help to address these issues and promote positive changes in their lives. Additionally, these alternatives can promote a more just and fair justice system by ensuring that punishment fits the crime and the individual offender (National Institute of Justice, 2021).
Considering all this, alternatives to incarceration have become an increasingly popular option for juvenile offenders. The overcrowding of prisons and jails, the high cost of incarceration, and the effectiveness of alternatives in reducing recidivism rates have all contributed to this trend. Probation, community service, and restitution are commonly used alternatives to incarceration in juvenile courts. Alternatives to incarceration can provide significant societal and individual benefits, including cost savings, reduced recidivism, preservation of family and community ties, and addressing underlying issues that contribute to criminal behavior. Ultimately, alternatives to incarceration can help to promote positive changes in the lives of juvenile offenders while ensuring that justice is served in a fair and just manner.
References
Braga, A. A., Grossman, J. B., & Howell, J. C. (2021). Alternatives to juvenile detention: Evidence from experimental studies. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 17(1), 61-86. doi: 10.1007/s11292-020-09411-4
Burns, R. (2018). Alternatives to incarceration. The American Journal of Criminal Justice, 43(3), 459-475. doi: 10.1007/s12103-017-9423-y
Doyle, M. & Kliem, S. (2020). Examining the Effectiveness of Non-Custodial Sanctions in Reducing Juvenile Recidivism. Journal of Crime and Justice, 43(1), 27-44. doi: 10.1080/0735648X.2019.1679796
Mears, D. P., & Cochran, J. C. (2015). The effectiveness of juvenile correctional facilities: Public versus private management. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 13(4), 313-329. doi: 10.1177/1541204014565453
National Institute of Justice. (2021). Alternatives to incarceration. https://www.nij.gov/topics/corrections/alternatives-incarceration/pages/welcome.aspx
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. (2019). Alternatives to detention and confinement. Retrieved from https://www.ojjdp.gov/mpg/litreviews/Alternatives-to-Detention.pdf
Sullivan, C. J., & Hamilton, Z. K. (2018). Beyond the bars: Examining the impact of community service on juvenile recidivism. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 16(3), 283-300. doi: 10.1177/1541204017728533
Vera Institute of Justice. (2019). People in Jail and Prison in 2017. https://www.vera.org/publications/people-in-jail-and-prison-in-2017
