9: Community Corrections
- Page ID
- 44952
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By the end of this section, students should be able to:
- Understand what is meant by Community Corrections
- Recognize the different types of community corrections
- Understand the pros/cons of the different main types of Community Corrections
Up to this point, we have spent much time on understanding crime, how it is policed, and how it is prosecuted in the courts. The next section will cover the last third of the justice system, corrections. This section will focus on punishments that happen in the community.
Critical Thinking Questions
- Why do some people convicted of a crime get jail/prison, while others do not?
- What factors are involved with the decision to use alternative sanctions, versus incarceration?
- What are some of the pros/cons of each of these decision points?
- Does the level of punishment change, based on the person? How?
- Are there other consequences involved after the punishment has been given? If so, what are they?
- 9.1: Diversion
- This page discusses the concept of diversion in the justice system, which enables individuals to stay in the community instead of going through traditional judicial processes. Diversion can happen at multiple points, from police warnings to judge-offered programs instead of sentencing. Estimates suggest millions of diversions occur each year, potentially leading to substantial cost savings for both the court and corrections systems.
- 9.2: Intermediate Sanctions
- This page discusses the evolution of community corrections over fifty years, highlighting the current population of 4.6 million under community supervision, mainly through probation. It examines intermediate sanctions introduced in the 1980s, which seek to balance punishment and rehabilitation.
- 9.3: Probation
- Probation is arguably the oldest and certainly the largest of the intermediate sanctions. Its roots stem from concepts of common law from England, like many of our other legal/correctional practices. In early American courts, a person was able to be released on their own recognizance, if they promised to be responsible citizens and pay back what they owed.
- 9.4: Drug Courts
- Drug Courts, starting in Dade County, Florida in the 1980s, encourage cooperation among legal and treatment professionals as an alternative to incarceration. With approximately 3,500 courts in the U.S., including specialized types like Veterans and Mental Health Courts, they show mixed but generally positive outcomes in reducing recidivism compared to boot camps. Graduates have significantly lower re-arrest rates. Continued research is essential to evaluate their long-term effectiveness.
- 9.5: Halfway Houses
- This page discusses the evolution of halfway houses since the 1800s, highlighting their role in helping offenders reintegrate into society. Initially nonprofit-funded, they now have various funding sources and serve both as supportive housing and treatment facilities. While studies show mixed effectiveness, those integrating effective interventions have better outcomes in lowering recidivism. Challenges in evaluating success arise from differences in types, funding, and resident needs.
- 9.6: House Arrest
- This page discusses house arrest as a form of confinement allowing limited freedoms while assessing its effectiveness alongside electronic monitoring. It highlights its cost efficiency and potential benefits for low-risk individuals, though the overall utility is debated, suggesting that minimal sanctions might suffice for success.
- 9.7: Community Residential Facilities
- This page discusses Community-Based Correctional Facilities (CBCFs) as a cost-effective alternative to incarceration, focusing on rehabilitation services akin to halfway houses. Their success hinges on following the Principles of Effective Intervention (PEI), with tailored programs enhancing outcomes, especially for higher-risk offenders. However, adherence to PEI is inconsistent among many CBCFs, resulting in varied effectiveness in reducing recidivism rates.
- 9.8: Restorative Justice
- This page discusses restorative justice (RJ) programs, which focus on repairing harm and enhancing accountability through community-based, trauma-informed practices. Facilitators guide discussions where victims share experiences and offenders take responsibility, leading to positive outcomes such as increased satisfaction for both parties and cognitive changes. The growing interest in RJ underscores its potential significance in community justice initiatives.
- 9.9: Parole
- This page discusses parole, a conditional release from prison that differs from probation and operates under the executive branch. Originating in England and Europe, it became prominent in the U.S. by the 1870s. Types of parole include discretionary, mandatory, and expiatory releases. Discretionary parole permits boards to grant early release, mandatory parole is based on good behavior, and expiatory release means serving the full sentence.
- 9.10: Current Issues in Corrections
- This page examines modern challenges in American jails and prisons, focusing on the effects of mass incarceration, including overcrowding, gang involvement, elderly inmates, and substance misuse. It presents diverse viewpoints on these issues and discusses their implications for society. Additionally, critical thinking questions encourage exploration of the causes and impacts of high incarceration rates, as well as potential solutions.
- 9.11: Current Issues in Corrections - Mass Incarceration
- This page explores the connection between safety perceptions and the changing punitive strategies in the U.S. since the 1970s, emphasizing mass incarceration driven by civil unrest, the Vietnam War, and drug crises. It outlines the impact of harsh sentencing through Terry's experience with jail overcrowding, which threatens his mental health. The text questions the effectiveness of these punitive approaches and their potential to worsen individual and community issues.
- 9.12: Current Issues in Corrections - War on Drugs and Gangs
- This page discusses the impact of the war on drugs, initiated by President Nixon in 1971, which transformed drug use into a criminal justice issue, leading to tougher laws and the creation of the Drug Enforcement Agency. It highlights the rise of gang influence, particularly in prisons, and the increase in mentally ill inmates due to the closure of mental health facilities.
- 9.13: Current Issues in Corrections- Aging and Overcrowding
- This page addresses the significant increase in the population of aging prisoners in the U.S., highlighting a 280% rise in inmates over 55, which escalates care costs. It questions the ethics of compassionate release and discusses related issues of prison overcrowding, violence, and inadequate healthcare.
- 9.14: Current Issues in Corrections- Reentry and the Future of Corrections
- This page examines the difficulties faced by released individuals in parole and reentry, noting a 70% recidivism rate within three years. It discusses barriers to reintegration, including employment and housing discrimination due to criminal history, contributing to a recurring cycle in the justice system.