Alternatives to Prison

• What is the most common sentence for offenders found guilty by courts?

  Fines or community penalties
• How can the freedom of offenders be restricted besides prison sentences?

  Using electronic tagging
• What are the benefits of alternative punishments compared to prison sentences?

  • Offenders remain with family at home
  • Allows continuation of work or education
  • Addresses reasons for offending
  • Instills a sense of responsibility
  • Emphasizes importance of paying back society
• Why do some people argue that alternative punishments are better than prison?

  They allow offenders to stay with family and work
• What has research shown about community punishments and reoffending rates?

  They can effectively reduce reoffending rates
• By what percentage have community-based sentences reduced reoffending rates?

  6%
• What is a concern some people have regarding community sentences?

  They may be seen as a soft option
• What do critics claim about the deterrent effect of community sentences?

  They do not act as a deterrent to offenders
• What factors influence the effectiveness of community punishments in reducing reoffending rates?

  Correct implementation and appropriate amounts
• However some people think that offenders can see community sentences as a soft option, so they claim that they do not act as a deterrent to offenders.
• Research has shown that community punishments can be very effective in reducing reoffending rates as long as they are given out correctly and in the right amounts. Community based sentences have reduced the reoffending rates by 6%.
• Some people argue that alternative punishments are better than prisons as the prisoners are still with their family and at home, it also allows them to continue working or attending college. It can also find and change the reason for offending and can give them the sense of responsibility as well as showing how important it is to pay back society.
• Only a small number of people who are found guilty by the courts get sentenced to prison. Most offenders either get fined or given community penalties. The freedom of offenders can also be restricted by using things like electronic tagging.