COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS - THE ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION - CANADA

• NCJ Number: 59580
• Author(s): G WALKER
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 34 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: Canada
• Note: ADDRESS TO THE PROVINCIAL JUDGES' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO, CANADA (CRIMINAL DIVISION), AT THE RAMADA INN, LONDON, ONTARIO, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH, 1979

Annotation

COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS AND TEMPORARY ABSENCE PROGRAMS AS ALTERNATIVES TO PRISON OFFER REHABILITATION AND REDUCE RECIDIVISM SAYS THE ONTARIO (CANADA) MINISTER OF CORRECTIONS.

Abstract

AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL IMPRISONMENT, COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS ALLOWS ACADEMIC AND VOCATIONAL COUNSELING AND TREATMENT FOR DRUG, ALCOHOL, AND PERSONALITY DISORDERS. AMONG ACTIVITIES OFFERED IN COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS IS A RESTITUTION PROGRAM WHICH ENCOURAGES PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. INMATES EARN A WAGE AND ARE REQUIRED TO PAY ROOM AND BOARD PLUS A FIXED AMOUNT TO THE VICTIM EACH WEEK. ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE OFFERING REHABILITATION IS THE TEMPORARY ABSENCE PROGRAM WHICH BEGAN IN 1969 AND HAS SERVED 82,000 PEOPLE IN ONTARIO WITH A 98% SUCCESS RATE. ADVANTAGES TO THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE PERSONAL SUPPORT BY THE INMATE OF HIS FAMILY AND HIMSELF, AND REDUCED COST TO THE TAXPAYER. PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS INCLUDE ENCOURAGEMENT OF GOOD WORK HABITS, FOSTERING SELF-ESTEEM, AND REDUCTION OF RECIDIVISM. ANOTHER FORM OF ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING IS THE INTERMITTANT OR WEEKEND SENTENCE. THE DESIRABILITY OF THIS OPTION IS CLOUDED BY THE STAFFING AND OVERTIME PROBLEMS, PROCEDURE AND ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS, PRISONER DIFFICULTIES SUCH AS DRUNKENESS, CONTRABAND, AND OVERCROWDING IT IMPLIES. NEW ALTERNATIVES BEING DEVELOPED BY THE MINISTRY OF CORRECTIONS AVOID THE REMAND INCARCERATION PROBLEM. THESE INCLUDE BAIL SUPERVISION, LODGINGS, AND HOSTELS, ALL OF WHICH OFFER BENEFITS TO THE INMATES AND REDUCED COST TO THE PROVINCE. LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY IS CITED FOR THE PROGRAMS, AND AN APPEAL IS MADE TO THE JUDGES FOR SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSALS. (RFC)