NCJ Number
49476
Journal
DANSKPOLITI Issue: 16 Dated: (NOVEMBER 8, 1977) Pages: 483
Date Published
1977
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THIS SUMMARY OF THE 1977 SEMINAR ON ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION SPONSORED BY THE DANISH MINISTRY OF JUSTICE DISCUSSES PROPOSALS FOR CONDITIONAL PAROLE, COMMUNITY-SERVICE SENTENCES, AND NIGHT PRISON.
Abstract
THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS IN DANISH INSTITUTIONS HAS FALLEN SINCE CONDITIONAL PAROLE WAS INITIATED IN 1965, AND THERE WAS GENERAL CONSENT AMONG THE CRIMINOLOGISTS, CRIMINAL POLICYMAKERS, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT REDUCTION OF PRISON POPULATIONS IS DESIRABLE. PROPOSALS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO PRISON INCLUDED SETTING PAROLE ELIGIBILITY AT ONE-HALF THE SENTENCE TIME, CONTINUING DECRIMINALIZATION EFFORTS, REDUCING SENTENCING SEVERITY, USING CONDITIONAL PAROLE WITH OTHER MEASURES SUCH AS 'NOLLE PROSEQUI,' PROVIDNG FOR NIGHT OR WEEKEND PRISON, AND INITIATING COMMUNITY-SERVICE SENTENCING (IN THIS INSTANCE THE OFFENDER WOULD BE REQUIRED TO WORK FOR SOME COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION WITHOUT MONETARY COMPENSATION). VARIOUS PROBLEMS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THESE ALTERNATIVES. THE PUBLIC MUST BE CONVINCED THAT THE SENTENCE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THE CRIME COMMITTED AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ALTERNATIVE MUST BE PRACTICAL. IN THE CASE OF WEEKEND PRISON, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN SUFFICIENT PERSONNEL FOR WEEKENDS, AND PRISONS MIGHT BE UNDEROCCUPIED DURING THE WEEK. THE COMMUNITY-SERVICE SENTENCE AND NIGHT PRISON SENTENCE CONCEPTS WERE THE MOST ACCEPTABLE. --IN DANISH. (DAG)