NCJ Number
163570
Date Published
1996
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This chapter traces the history and philosophy of community corrections, and discusses sentencing alternatives.
Abstract
Probation was developed primarily for minor offenders or those whose offense did not warrant severe punishment or incarceration. Over the last two decades, however, probation has emerged as the most often used disposition, with even felony offenders being placed under probation supervision. Major components of community correction in addition to probation include: (1) Diversion: formally acknowledged and organized efforts undertaken prior to adjudication and after a legally prescribed action has occurred; (2) Parole: the conditional release of an offender from a correctional institution to serve part of the unexpired sentence in the community under the custody of the state and the supervision and treatment of a parole officer; (3) Halfway Houses: transitional residences for criminal offenders, usually upon release from a prison or jail; (4) Work Release: release of an inmate to a job or schooling, with reincarceration during nonwork or nonschool hours; and (5) Intermediate Punishments: fines, community service, supervision fees, house arrest, intermittent imprisonment, split sentences, day reporting, electronic monitoring, and intensive supervision. Table, references