Academic Master

Criminology

Alternatives to Incarceration

Various historical and economic reasons lead to the preference of alternatives to incarceration in jails for the offenders. Thus, the alternatives are meant to ease some burden that is caused by having too many offenders in government jails. Some of the reasons behind the decision include the following:
To ease the government’s financial burden

Crime ranges from the small things to major aspects. In any case, all the cases are taken to the judges and have the possibility of the offenders being held up in jails. Crimes occur on a daily basis. Having too many people in jails increases the demand for food as well as other facilities. It is the role of the government to provide all the necessities (Martin & Grattet 2015). Thus, the alternatives attempt to reduce the financial burden on the government.

Maintenance of the living standards of the families

The criminals convicted are part of families that they provide for. Holding such an individual in jail means that many people in the outside world will suffer for no reason. Thus, many judges offer alternative punishments for the people determined to be having the breadwinning responsibility in the family.

To observe jail prescriptions and requirements

Human rights organizations provide for the requirements that jails ought to follow. In this case, it is a prescription that jails ought not to be too congested as it amounts to a violation of human rights. The rate at which new jails are built does not match the rate at which new criminals are developing. Thus, judges opt to give alternative forms of punishment to avoid congesting prisons and jails.

Alternatives to incarcerating offenders
Fines

In this case, the offender is required to pay a fine as dictated by the judge and within the law guiding the crime in question. After payment of the fine, the offender is released back to the public. However, fines are used for petty crimes such as disorderly drinking and other cases as the judge may feel suitable.

Capital punishment

This is a punishment that is given to the worst offenders according to the law. It is prescribed for capital offenders. For instance, capital punishment is given to serial killers as well as terrorists. It, therefore, calls for actions such as death by hanging or even hacking to death (Venters 2016). It also serves the reduction the need to imprison the offender.

Corporal punishment

This is a punishment whereby the offender is bitten a number of strokes from time to time as prescribed by the judge. The offender is required to be bitten and after finishing the punishment, he or she is sent back to society. Special officers are entrusted with the administration of the punishment.

Exile

In this case, a person is taken far away from his or her home country (Griffin et al, 2015). This is mainly combined with the hard labor for free. In this case, the offender works in another country and his or her native country gets paid for her labor. After the exile, the offender is taken back to the motherland and joins the society.

Benefits of imposing sanctions or punishments
To the community

The community benefits in that it is not deprived of the efforts of one of its own. In this case, a person is allowed to continue supporting the community in the usual ways as a member. Therefore, the community continues to enjoy the social life with such a person and does not lose in terms of skills, knowledge, and other aspects that come with such a person.

To the individual

The individual continues to enjoy the freedom of movement. It also serves a warning to the person to avoid engaging in similar crimes in the future. The individual enjoys the fact that he is not separated from the family, and thus do not suffer psychologically.
References
Griffin, P. A., Heilbrun, K., Mulvey, E. P., DeMatteo, D., & Schubert, C. A. (Eds.). (2015). The sequential intercept model and criminal justice: Promoting community alternatives for individuals with serious mental illness. Oxford University Press, USA.
Martin, B., & Grattet, R. (2015). Alternatives to incarceration in California. Public Policy Institute of California.
Venters, H. (2016). A three-dimensional action plan to raise the quality of care of US correctional health and promote alternatives to incarceration.

SEARCH

Top-right-side-AD-min
WHY US?

Calculate Your Order




Standard price

$310

SAVE ON YOUR FIRST ORDER!

$263.5

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Pop-up Message