Creative Sentencing is Effective (From America's Prisons: Opposing Viewpoints, P 199-205, 1991, Stacey L. Tipp, ed. - See NCJ-159858)

• NCJ Number: 159883
• Author(s): M Mauer
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: Greenhaven Press
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article argues that the trend toward imprisoning more offenders worsens prison overcrowding, while failing to reduce crime.

Abstract

The article advocates developing alternative sentencing programs that tailor the punishment to fit the unique needs of the individual offenders. These sanctions would involve combining supervised probation, fines, restitution, community service, drug treatment, confined residence, and employment or education programs. Early evaluations of creative sentencing programs indicate that they are popular with judges and effective in reducing prison overcrowding.