Enlarging Alternatives to Incarceration - Iowa's Approach (From American Correctional Association - Proceedings, August 16-20, 1981, P 21-25, 1982, Julie N Tucker, ed. - See NCJ-85341)

• NCJ Number: 85343
• Author(s): B Olk
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: American Correctional Association; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Available on microfiche as NCJ-85341

Annotation

Iowa has emphasized the development of community-based corrections and a statewide corrections system and is currently focusing on criteria for placements, evaluation processes, management information systems, and improved cost-effectiveness.

Abstract

Iowa community-based corrections began in the 1960's with a pretrial release program developed in Des Moines to address disparities in the bail bond system. From 1968 to 1972, the Des Moines program consolidated other community correctional programs, such as probation and presentence investigation, under one administrative unit. In 1973, legislation was enacted to permit replication of the Des Moines approach across the State. Now local corrections programs are required by code to furnish or contract for those services necessary to provide a community-based correctional program which meets the needs of that district. Iowa has sought to make its correctional system statewide by having representatives of its many components meet regularly to share problems and concerns. Budgets are submitted to the legislature as a unit to prevent one component from competing with another for funds. In the future, community alternatives are expected to be even more important. The State legislature recently passed a bill that will place a 'cap' on institutional populations.