Introduction
Correctional system is assigned the mandate of supervising the offenders who are sentenced for certain crimes. They involve incarcerated offenders and offenders who serve their sentences in a community. Due to increase in overcrowding of prisons, the application of an alternative punishment is popular as a way of reducing incarceration populace. This study focused on importance of alternatives to incarceration and impact that alternative programs have.
Importance of Alternatives to Incarceration
The alternatives help in reduction of persons who are isolated from the community for a long time. The application of noncustodial measures and sanctions reflects a vital change in manner offenders; crime and society approach the situation, altering the penitentiary focus measures from isolation and punishment to restorative reintegration and justice (In Lankford, 2012). When followed by sufficient offenders support, it helps vulnerable members in society to stay and avoid a relapse into patterns of criminal behavior. The implementation and introduction of alternatives and measures seem a core element in prison reform (Murtagh, 2012). The options help incarcerated prisoners upon their release, to successful re-integration into the society. Due to inadequate health care in jail, the options will enable the offenders to acquire quality medical care available in community. They will access supportive, palliative, reproductive, curative and preventive healthcare (In Lankford, 2012). Also, they will have access to underlying health determinants involving safe water for drinking and sufficient sanitation, housing and adequate nutrition, safe food, dental services and safe health, environmental conditions and healthy working, gender equality and information and education related to health.
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The alternatives when introduced strengthen the ties between the community and law enforcement. It also provides a full model service of supervision involving both surveillance and services, while trying to change livelihoods of criminals through the neighborhood, family, and personal interventions (Murtagh, 2012). This also enables the offender to acquire needed treatment, social support, and employment to assist the family members. The plan allows the community to be involved in assisting with rehabilitation, accountability, and supervision, involving coercing criminals into treatment.
Impacts of alternatives to incarceration
Due to looming concern in the rise of incarceration rates, unprecedented rates may influence social institutions like schools, communities or families in a way that enhances social disruption and crime or offsets reduction of any form of crime (Smelson & Pinals, 2015). The argument of labor markets, educational institutions, communities, neighborhoods, and families enforce and provide behavior norms that prevent most offenders in engaging in activities of crime when these bonds are lost or weakened, criminals turn to be more marginalized (Murtagh, 2012). These offenders have increased rates of crime and violence. Due to historical transitions, more African American are affected due to the decline of labor force leading to reformed female opting for household jobs (Smelson & Pinals, 2015). Also, having enough time to engage in drugs and influencing other members of the society to participate in the acts. The direct impact of alternatives, inner city, and low-class societies ma face more crime and disorganization.
Conclusion
The alternatives should be applied in various aspects for the best results achievement. In particular circumstances, every strategy employed has its successful story in crime reduction in society. The strategic plan showing an offender if he can be incapacitated, rehabilitated, deterred and restored plus restraint. The benefit of alternatives is the measures every program is accountable for achieving the expected results. The alternatives can assist in reducing criminal activities in future while holding the suspect accountable for their behaviors.
References
In Lankford, R. D. (2012). Alternatives to prisons . Detroit: Greenhaven Press.
Murtagh, K. J. (2012). Corporal punishment: A humane alternative to incarceration .
Smelson, D. A., & Pinals, D. A. (2015). An Alternative to Incarceration: Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment Intervention for Justice-Involved Veterans. World Medical & Health Policy , 7 (4), 329-348. doi:10.1002/wmh3.168
