NCJ Number
92631
Date Published
1983
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Virginia needs a clear and consistent public policy on corrections and needs to eliminate sentencing disparities that are based on factors which are irrelevant to punishment considerations.
Abstract
The Commonwealth should also make greater use of financial incentives to encourage localities to keep offenders out of prison and in community-based programs. The General Assembly should enact legislation that will expand the use of both pretrial and post sentencing alternatives to jail and prison. Community service and curtailment of civil privileges should be used more often as punishment alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders. Whenever appropriate, restitution should also be part of alternatives to incarceration. Virginia also needs a coordinated public education program about corrections policy. It should enlist the media, establish speakers' bureaus with audiovisual materials, provide program materials for teachers, and use billboards and meetings to educate the public. Continuing to operate the corrections system in the present manner will require added funding, whereas improved management and alternative approaches to corrections will reduce costs. A list of participants in the 1983 meeting which produced these recommendations is provided.