Community based corrections programs aim to help criminals transition from incarceration back into society through probation, parole, intermediate sanctions, and reentry programs. These programs seek to reduce recidivism by providing services like job training, housing assistance, and substance abuse treatment. They also aim to address prison overcrowding by supervising offenders in the community whenever possible. The goals of these programs are to successfully reintegrate ex-offenders as law-abiding citizens through comprehensive case management.
The Evolution Of Politicical Violence And Terrorism
Community Corrections Programs
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Running Head: Community Based Corrections
A Beginning Look at Community Based Corrections
Elizabeth Hall
Kaplan University
CJ130-02 Introduction to Corrections
Amy Ng
9.8.2010
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A Beginning Look at Community Based Corrections
Introduction
When a criminal completes their allotted sentence and their period of incarceration is
over, they often need help adjusting to life outside of prison or jail. This is where Community
Based Corrections takes over. There are several types of Community Based Corrections:
probation, intermediate sanctions, parole, and reentry programs. There is a new approach called
reentry courts as well. Imagine you are a criminal who has been incarcerated for five years and
suddenly you are changing from a world filled with violence and strife, to one where technology
has surpassed what was new when you went in, and violence is not condoned. The Community
Based Corrections programs are designed to smooth the transition between incarceration and the
full return to society for the criminal. The goals of the Community Based Corrections,
sponsored by the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the
federal Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Labor, and Housing and Urban
Development, are to use these programs to reintegrate every criminal back into society as law-
abiding citizens. With Community Based Correctional programs such as probation, parole,
intermediate sanctions, and reentry programs, the government hopes to reduce recidivism by
reintegrating criminals into society as law-abiding citizens
Defining Types of Community BasedCorrections
There are several different types of Community Based Correctional Programs that used
separately or in some instances conjunction with each other to provide readjustment periods for
offenders. There was a rise in the use of Community Based Corrections in the 1980’s due to
correctional facilities overcrowding populations. We currently use probation, parole,
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intermediate sanctions, and reentry programs to provide comprehensive case management
programs to offenders to provide them with pre-release programs, drug abuse rehabilitation,
vocational training, and work programs.
Probation is a form of punishment for non-violent offenders that allows them to remain in
the community under the strict case management of a probation officer. The offender is subject
to certain conditions mandated by the court. If these conditions are not met, the criminal maybe
incarcerated. The offender and the correctional facilities both benefit from this option because it
allows for those who commit minor crimes to receive punishment in the form of the conditions
of probation, however because there is no incarceration it is a big relief on the overcrowding
issue.
Parole is defined as the release of an offender from confinement, based on conditions,
and is monitored by a parole officer. If the offender violates the conditions of parole, they are
returned to incarceration. This punishment allows the offender to remain in a state of monitoring
immediately following their release. It also gives the offender a chance to learn proper coping
skills to give them a better chance at becoming a law-abiding citizen.
Intermediate sanctions are punishments harsher than probation but less restrictive than
being incarcerated in prison. Examples of this include house arrest, electronic monitoring
bracelets, and boot camps. They provide harsher punishment than probation, yet are not as
restrictive as jail or prison. This allows for some relief on our already overcrowded correctional
facilities.
Reentry Programs can be defined as programs designed to promote successful
reintegration of inmates who have served their time back into society as law-abiding citizens.
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The DOJ, the OJP, and the departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Housing and
Urban Development and the Department of Labor sponsor reentry Programs. Recently there is a
new focus on Community-Based Corrections in the form of reentry courts. These courts offer a
more extensive managing, and therapy of offenders returning to society as early as the
sentencing phase. They are a necessary function of the legal system if we are to reduce
recidivism.
Goals and Effect of Sanctions
The goals of the Community Based Correctional Programs are clearly to reintegrate
criminals into society as law-abiding citizens by providing training, and help with obtaining
necessities such as housing, employment, and health and wellness. Recidivism would be
reduced thereby reducing the overcrowding problem correctional facilities face today.
Intermediate sanctions are effective punishments to use. House arrest with electronic bracelet
monitoring is hard on offenders for example, because they are psychologically in their most
comfortable zone; their homes. However, they are confined to their homes for months, and if
they leave, their tamper-proof bracelets will alert the police. For some people this is worse than
prison.
Conclusion
With Community Based Correctional programs such as probation, parole, intermediate
sanctions, and reentry programs, the government hopes to reduce recidivism by reintegrating
criminals into society as law-abiding citizens. These programs provide a pathway to both keep
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people out of jails and prison while still being punished for their crimes, and helping those who
have been incarcerated reintegrate into normal society.
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References:
Bartollas, C. (2002). Invitation to Corrections. Boston. Allyn and Bacon
U. S. Department of Justice (n.d.) Learn About Reentry. Retrieved from
http//www.reentry.gov/learn.html