Types of Alternative Sentencing Programs
Anyone who has been charged with a crime can tell the amount of stress that comes with it. Being convicted can jeopardize someone’s life in several ways. It can ruin their reputation, spoil their career life and limit their capacity to make a living and deprive them freedom. Getting back to a healthy life after serving a jail term for such people is also a challenge. With that much at risk, there is an option for people to explore, that is, alternative sentencing. It entails other kinds of punishments that the court can give to those convicted of crimes instead of having them serve a jail term. It allows judges to tailor sanctions according to crimes committed. However, not all offenders are eligible for the program. It relies on the type of crime one is convicted of and their history on convictions. For the eligible offenders, it is an opportunity to avoid imprisonment, which is likely to ruin their lives. It could also be an advantage to prisons as it can reduce overcrowding and somehow cat the cost of imposing punishment. This study will focus on the types of alternative sentencing programs.
Research indicates that monetary fine is the most used alternative sentencing. It is applied on less serious crimes and to those who have not convicted before. Some of the offences that can be covered by fines include; violation of traffic laws, shoplifting, game violations and many more. It is meant to punish the defendant and act as compensation to the state for the offence. It also helps to combat future crimes. Crimes are divided into categories to separate minor, serious ones from minor ones. A certain amount for each class is set. However, the actual fine to be paid is a decision for the court involved. In some other cases, a fine reduces the duration of a jail term rather than a complete exemption.