COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS - PROBLEMS AND PROMISES (FROM INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY CORRECTIONS AND THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES - INTERAGENCY WORKSHOP - PROCEEDINGS - ANNUAL, 13TH - HOUSTON (TX), 1978 - SEE NCJ-66183)

• NCJ Number: 66189
• Author(s): J HANCOCK
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Sam Houston State University
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: NCJ-66189 AVAILABLE ON MICROFICHE (SEE NCJ-66183) FROM NCJRS.

Annotation

COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS USED AS ALTERNATIVES TO JAIL AND PRISON IN THE DES MOINES, IOWA AREA ARE DESCRIBED.

Abstract

IN THE EARLY 1970'S COMMUNITY FACILITIES WERE SECURED FOR THE HOUSING OF MALE AND FEMALE OFFENDERS. THE PROGRAMS FOCUS UPON OFFENDER PROGRESS IN EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, AND GENERAL SOCIALIZATION. THOSE WHO DO NOT VOLUNTARILY COMMIT THEMSELVES TO THE PROGRAM AFTER BEING GIVEN THE OPTION BY THE COURTS, USUALLY ARE SENT TO JAIL OR PRISON. CLIENTS ARE RELEASED FOR WORK, EDUCATION, AND OTHER TREATMENT SERVICES OFFERED IN THE COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS WORK AS TUTORS FOR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS AND GENERAL EDUCATION DIPLOMAS. COST STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT IMPRISONMENT COSTS $12,000 PER INMATE ANNUALLY, WHILE A RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM COSTS $2,400 PER CLIENT ANNUALLY. THE SUCCESS OF THE DES MOINES PROGRAMS IN REDUCING JAIL AND PRISON POPULATIONS IN THAT DISTRICT WHILE INMATE POPULATIONS WERE RISING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE PROMPTED THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN 1975 TO PASS LEGISLATION REQUIRING COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. FUNDS WERE APPROPRIATED SPECIFICALLY FOR COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS. (RCB)