Deck 9: Intermediate Sanctions and Community Corrections

Question 1

Should intermediate sanctions be run by traditional probation and prison systems or by new agencies seeking to serve as alternatives to them?

Answer 1

Intermediate sanction:
Intermediate sanction is a form of punishment used in the criminal justice method. Intermediate punishments are strict when compared to traditional probation, and are lenient to that of a prison. It is a combination of jail and probation. Intermediate punishments are delivered throughout a various programs like fine or penalties, intensive supervision, electronic monitoring, boot camps and middle houses.
New agencies as alternative to intermediate sanction:
Now the intermediate sanctions, which are run by the new agencies, are serving as the alternative for that. Traditional probation and jail systems are followed by the old intermediate sanction. It had many limitations while using in a practical sense. The main demerit is the availability of time. The probation officer cannot get proper time for treating offenders in good manner.
Probation leaders are responsible to develop new intermediate sanction programs and expanding old methods. While adopting new programs, automatically the surveillance and control get increased. The older programs are often revamped to become more expanded and efficient to fit more probationers. The newly adopted programs are as follows:
•Day reporting (treatment) centers
•Intensive supervision
•Home confinement
•Electronic monitoring
•Pretrial diversion
•Fines
•Forfeiture, and
•Community service and restitution.
These are the new model or programs adopting in probation for the improvement of intermediate sanction.

Question 2

What does the California probation subsidy program tell us about the interdependence of various elements of corrections?

Answer 2

Corrections:
Correction means punishment or retribution given by an authority to a person who has committed a crime. It is for the purpose of correcting an individual's mistakes or bringing him under legal subjection. It may be directed by parents or legal authority.
C State's probation subsidy program:
C State's probation subsidy program began in July 1966. C state was facing with increased population in its institutions for criminals. The C State's youth authority has taken initiative in conducting surveys about the probation practices adopted throughout the state. It was instrumental in preparing the legislation which led to probation subsidy programs.
Subsidy program began and passed smoothly and successfully. Underlying legislation believed that probation is the cheapest correctional option accessible. If there are large number of cases, it is efficient in providing outcomes.
The probation subsidy program was passed by the legislature and they formed the following four goals:
•To increase the safety afforded the citizen of this state
•To allow a more even administration of justice
•To rehabilitate criminals
•To reduce the necessity for commitment of person to state correctional institution.
The subsidy programs provide state fund to the development of adequate probation services. In the past years, these types of funds were used to incarcerate offenders at the state level and issuing subsequent parole supervision.

Question 3

Why do states with similar crime rates sometimes have different incarceration rates?

Answer 3

Reasons for different incarceration rate for the similar crime in different states:
Similar case or crime happened in different states they charged different incarceration rates because each state has different legislation and jurisdiction. The different states have different ways of handling crimes and keep people in prison for different length of time. Each case have separate behavior in different states, like in usage of the alcohol or drugs some states take strict action where as some states take action in community services.
Some states have better system for investigating and prosecuting offenses, and some states have mandatory prison terms for special crimes while other states do not. Some states are using probation more than incarceration and they have different level of punishment for certain offenses. If some states have not sufficient facilities like prison or court they will approach other states.

Question 4

Do you think that intermediate sanctions are acceptable to the general public in the current political climate?

Question 5

How do intermediate sanctions work better-as a way of improving on probation or as a way of avoiding the negatives of imprisonment? Why?