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Chapter 1 - Introduction

This chapter introduces non-institutional or community-based corrections as an alternative to incarceration. It discusses how community corrections aims to supervise offenders in the community through probation and other intermediate sanctions. The goals of community correction programs are to punish offenders, protect public safety, provide restitution to victims, increase community service and collection of court fees. It also lists factors contributing to the growth of community-based programs such as cost savings, flexibility for judges, and less prison overcrowding.

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247 views

Chapter 1 - Introduction

This chapter introduces non-institutional or community-based corrections as an alternative to incarceration. It discusses how community corrections aims to supervise offenders in the community through probation and other intermediate sanctions. The goals of community correction programs are to punish offenders, protect public safety, provide restitution to victims, increase community service and collection of court fees. It also lists factors contributing to the growth of community-based programs such as cost savings, flexibility for judges, and less prison overcrowding.

Uploaded by

eyessing
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MODULE:

Non - Institutional Corrections

Chapter 1: Introduction

At the end of this chapter the student should be able to:

• Understand the Two Elements of Correctional Treatment


• Enumerate the goals of Community Corrections Programs.

Introduction

Correctional treatment can be divided


into two elements: a) Secured Confinement
or Institutionalized Corrections, and b)
Community-Based Programs or Non-
institutional Corrections. Community-based
correction is a supervised program dealing
with people who have been convicted or are
facing conviction. It is a non-incarceration
system of correction

Community corrections covers a wide


variety of punishment imposed without
removal of the offender from his area of
residence and employment, if any. The crux
of community corrections is supervision in the community.

Community-based corrections include probation, which involves offender


supervision under the control of the sentencing court, and an array of intermediate
sanctions, in the form of programs that provide greater supervision and treatment
than the “traditional" probation but are less intrusive than imprisonment.

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MODULE:
Non - Institutional Corrections
Treatment in the community is viewed as a viable alternative to traditional
correctional practices. First, it is significantly less expensive to supervise inmates
in the community than to house them in secure institutional facilities. Second,
community-based corrections are necessary if the prison system is not to be
overwhelmed by an influx of offenders. Third, community-based treatment is
designed so that first-time or non-serious offenders can avoid the stigma and
pains of imprisonment and be rehabilitated in the community.

One of the basic principles underlying community-based corrections is


minimization of the offender's contact with Institutional incarceration. The
emphasis moves away from the dehumanizing and alienating effects of
institutionalization and mandates avoidance of use of ails, workhouses, and prisons
to an extent consistent with the protection of society.

Modern community correctional programs are invariably "soft on crime,”


they focus too much on rehabilitation, to the exclusion of punishment, deterrence,
and incapacitation. Community corrections mean the subfield of corrections in
which offenders are supervised and provided services outside jail or prison. For
this reason, community corrections are sometimes referred to as non-institutional
corrections. Community corrections include programs such as diversion,
restitution, probation, parole, and various provisions for temporary release from
prison or jail.

Parole and probation have always been a way of community correction, but
with advancement in technology and considering the psychology of convicted
people, correction programs have widened to accommodate work releases ay tine
programs, electronic monitor the home confinement, community service, half way
houses, boot camp prisons, restitution, check in programs, mediation, curfews,
restorative justice centers, drug checks, alcohol checks end other methods where
there is a certain level of trust between the offenders and the people involved.

The Goals of Community Corrections Programs

Community corrections programs are integrated sanctioning strategies that


seek to achieve the following goals:
1. The offender it punished and held accountable.
2. Public safety is protected.
3. Victims and local communities receive restitution from felons who work in
their present jobs and/or in restitution programs.
4. Community service work increases.

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MODULE:
Non - Institutional Corrections
5. Collection of court costs and fees increases due to contractual agreements
with attenders who remain in their present jobs.

The Popularity and Growth of Community based Programs Nationwide is Based


on Five (5) Factors

1. The programs provide closer supervision than regular probation sentences;


2. Major cost savings compared to full incarceration;
3. Flexibility for judges to sentence to community correction programs instead
of incarceration in a jail or prison;
4. A more gradual reentry into community life after prison or jail time; and
5. Less overcrowding in jails and prisons.

Community Corrections Sanctions may include:

1. 24-hour residential programs which provide a structured living environment


for offenders who require supervision when not working or looking for
employment:
2. Non-residential drug and alcohol treatment programs;
3. Electronic monitoring of offenders placed on home detention (offenders
must wear bracelets that allow parole officials to monitor their movement);
4. Diagnostic evaluation and counseling ordered by the court as part of a pre-
sentence process;
5. Pre-trial intervention which provides close supervision and support
services to selected offenders prior to trial;
6. Community service programs;
7. Day reporting centers where offenders are required to discuss the progress
of their job search and daily activities with parole officials; and
8. Mandatory education programs.

References:
Handbook on
NON-INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTIONS
LINNET DOLINEN - GAHAR

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