NCJ Number
178522
Journal
ALABAMA LAWYER Volume: 59 Issue: 3 Dated: May 1998 Pages: 158-165
Date Published
May 1998
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article reviews criminal sentencing options and sanctions that affect community punishment and corrections of adults in Alabama.
Abstract
Three statutes have importantly affected the development in Alabama of community-based sanctions. The Split Sentence Act gives a judge discretion to split a prison sentence of 15 years or less by ordering that the defendant serve a maximum of 3 years in prison, that the remainder of the sentence be suspended, and that the defendant be placed on probation for such period and upon such terms as the court deems best. The Mandatory Treatment Act of 1990 specifically addresses the problem of alcohol and drug abuse among criminal offenders. The Alabama Community Punishment and Corrections Act of 1991 intended to provide punishment and corrections programs for non-violent offenders that are designed and operated by local governments. The article describes current community corrections activities in Alabama and considerations in proposing sentence plans.