NCJ Number
129307
Date Published
1990
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Identifying the factors contributing to the current exploration of alternatives to imprisonment, this article classifies and describes existing alternatives in Israel.
Abstract
The punishment process emerges as a factor contributing to the exploration of alternatives to imprisonment as does the growing support for a new approach to the concept of punishment and the increasing cost of imprisonment in contrast to relatively less expensive alternatives. Existing alternatives to imprisonment include: allowing offenders to remain in their natural surroundings by incorporating a treatment process into the normal lifestyle, that is, a probation order issued by the court, community service, and electric monitoring; permitting offenders to remain in their natural surroundings by introducing changes in occupational activities such as service work and day centers, and, finally, moving offenders to either a residential facility or a hostel. Changes in attitude among the members of the law enforcement community, social service professionals, and the public as well as greater flexibility in the transfer of resources and increased cooperation between law enforcement and offender treatment and rehabilitation agencies all facilitated Israel's extension of alternatives to prison.