NCJ Number
155210
Date Published
1993
Length
28 pages
Annotation
Because statistics indicate that imprisonment is a questionable deterrent to crime, and a case is made for alternatives to incarceration.
Abstract
The United States imprisons more people as a percentage of the population than any other country in the world, yet the United States has the highest crime rate in the Western world. While it is difficult to draw causal connections, it seems that increased imprisonment and longer prison sentences do not deter crime. Over half of U.S. inmates are incarcerated for nonviolent crimes, but placing these inmates in prison can often be counterproductive. Further, studies indicate that two of every three released prisoners are rearrested within 3 years of their release. Building a new prison costs between $36,000 and $80,000 per bed. It costs taxpayers an additional $18,000 to keep one inmate in prison for 1 year. Alternatives to incarceration may be more effective than imprisonment, both for society and for the offender. Such alternatives may improve public safety, save taxpayer money, and offer more hope for rehabilitating offenders. They include restitution, community service, intensive supervision, fines, alcohol and drug treatment orders, work requirements, and reconciliation programs. The repeal of mandatory sentencing and habitual offender laws is recommended, as well as active citizen involvement in correctional reform.