Criminology

Incarceration simply means imprisonment or confinement. In the United States of America, crimes are frequently committed with the culprits finding themselves serving jail terms. This has resulted in overcrowding in the states prisons. To counter the effects of overcrowding such as the spread of contagious diseases and budgetary deficits, various programs on alternatives to incarceration were initiated (McKelvey 45).

A survey carried out showed that incarcerating one would cost an average of approximately 29,000 a year. Following an investigation by the United States Department of Justice, the United States is figured to have the highest rate of incarceration and prison population in the world over (Simsen 28).

Community Education Centers provides treatment and education services to adults and juvenile correctional centers as well as social services populations in the United States of America. As an alternative to incarceration, it partners with government agencies aimed at providing education and intensive treatment that focus on changing both addictive and criminal related behaviors, reducing recidivism and preparing residents for reentry

Several existing alternatives to incarceration include
Probation, which is punishment for misdemeanors and some felonies. The offender is required by the court system to refrain from any criminal activities and reports to approbation officer where a drug and alcohol tests are conducted o them. The probatory terms may extend to include not leaving a certain jurisdiction, employment, residing in supervised facility, or abiding by a curfew (McKelvey 62).
Drug rehabilitation, where persons committing crimes as a result of chemical dependency are subjected to rehabilitation programs. This is given as an alternative by attorneys as chemical dependency results in activities like robbery, car theft, petit larceny, or burglary so as to obtain funds to purchase the drugs.

Work crews, involves the maintenance of public utility environments such as parks or contributing to physical landscape projects. Community service obligations are an alternative to offenders to engage in community service, pay fines among other penalties (McKelvey 64).

In addition, according to McKelvey, Electronic Monitoring, another mechanism   requires offenders behaviors to be monitored using electronic devices which provide information on their whereabouts (72). The use of Geographic Positioning System trackers for example is incorporated as a mechanism. A certain amount of daily fees is surcharged as an alternative. Cases supervised by this alternative include alcohol related offenses, sexual predators among others.

The use of house arrests also acts as an alternative. Here, offenders are detained at their places of residence with the exception of authorized outings such as work, attending counseling programs or court ordered treatment. Electronic devices to monitor the activities of engagement by individuals are also used in this type of alternative. In some states, it is a mandatory penalty for second and third term DUI offenders.

Educational Sentencing Programs requires offenders to participate in training and classes revolving around issues to do with racial sensitivity, anger management, parenting classes or assistance as pertains to employment. This alternative is provided considering that education and behavior modification programs would deter acts of crime committed by minimum risk offenders (Simsen 35).

Lastly, recognizance release covers releasing nonviolent offenders prior to sentencing. This mainly takes place before sentencing or with a promise to return for court proceedings. This release considers ones responsibility to their actions. As pertains to minor defendants, Supervised Own Recognizance is adopted where limitations like alcohol testing or staying away orders are part of the alternative (Simsen 43).

These alternatives are made available by government departments in conjunction with other agencies. Community Education Centers for example, provides treatment and education services to adults and juvenile correctional centers as well as social services populations in the United States of America. As an alternative to incarceration, it partners with government agencies aimed at providing education and intensive treatment that focus on changing both addictive and criminal related behaviors, reducing recidivism and preparing residents for reentry (Simsen 55).

The state of New Jersey has not escaped from the effects of overcrowding in its states jails. To address this, several programs have been instigated. The Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative for example was replicated in New Jersey (Simsen 54). Its goals include reducing the number of youth inappropriately detained redirecting public funds towards reform strategies that are successful and decreasing the number of youths failing to appear in court or re-offend pending adjudication. Other dockets covering youth related alternative initiatives include diversion where a delinquent individual is released to responsible guardians or a station house adjustment is conducted on the said youth. This program is coordinated by the Youth Services Commission probation supervision where probation officers supervise probationers in accordance with court orders and Probation Outcome Standards.

Reporting programs with six-day moderations are served to juveniles who are determined to need structure and supervision without the need to be distanced from their homes juvenile correction continuum which focuses on the corrective aspect of juvenile attitudes, behaviors and habits. Services provided include medical, vocational and educational programming. The New Jersey Juvenile Commission is responsible for providing these services. The community corrections cover residential community homes and residential substance abuse programs to relevant youths (Simsen 78).

Several other programs are run under Alternatives to Incarceration. Two counties in the state of New Jersey acted as focal points for these programs, The Essex and Warren Counties. As a result, their programs are discussed below

The Warren County Alternative Sentencing Program is run by Warren- Hamilton Community Action Agency offering a vast range of service ranging from assessment, counseling, educational, intensive supervision, rehabilitation, enhanced information services to community service so as to address the need for reducing expenses stemming from individuals serving jail terms. In addition, the Warren Pretrial Release Program is run by the Warren County Probation Department for purposes of providing criminal clients an opportunity to be interviewed so as to determine their eligibility of release from jail. The interview assesses a defendants qualifications for release through release on ones own recognizance or release under supervision. This service is provided mostly to court clients who are unable to post bail initially (McKelvey 95).

In conclusion, the current global economic crunch has resulted in the need to reduce expense so as to divert available resources to other developmental alternatives that are viable. Alternative Incarceration programs provide a leeway for the diversion of resources as their practical actions have shown an encouraging trend of changing peoples attitudes and behavior using available flexible options. The goals aimed by these programs have also been achieved in one way or another hence the need for their continuity.