NCJ Number
98128
Date Published
1985
Length
22 pages
Annotation
The D.C. Coalition for Justice testifies in support of the D.C. Alternative Sentencing Commission Act of 1985 and the D.C. Correctional Facility Study Commission Act of 1985.
Abstract
The D.C. Coalition for Justice consists of a group of local organizations, concerned individuals, and religious group for the promotion of alternatives to incarceration. The coalition urges District officials to study carefully the current and projected prison population before considering whether to construct a new prison in the District. It is recommended that studies of sentencing alternatives and prison construction costs are essential. The sponsors of the bill recognize that human costs of incarceration are extremely high and impact directly on the social, emotional and psychological well-being of incarcerated persons and their families. Options such as community service, victim restitution, fines, community dispute and mediation centers, extended work release, intensive probation, and expanded programs for drug and alcohol treatment should be encouraged and expanded in the District. Cost effectiveness of these programs as compared to the construction of a new prison should be studied. Further studies on methods of improving alternative sentencing programs should be explored prior to the decision on the construction of a new prison. It is recommended that a study of the costs of operating as well as constructing a new prison should be included as an amendment to the proposed bills. A total of 37 notes are included.