NCJ Number
103931
Date Published
1986
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Under S.1644, the Sentencing Improvement Act of 1983, Federal judges are directed to imprison defendants who are convicted of violent and dangerous offenses, while employing alternative sanctions such as community service and restitution for other defendants.
Abstract
Such a resolution, if adopted in Federal sentencing guidelines, has many sound arguments in its favor. First, it would help relieve prison overcrowding, ensure prison space for violent and dangerous offenders, and help reduce prison costs. Second, restitution and community service directly benefit both victims and the community, while being much less destructive to the offender. Finally, the prospects for successful rehabilitation of offenders would be increased, as those serving alternative sentences have demonstrated lower recidivism rates than have incarcerated offenders. 70 notes and references.