Alternatives to Incarceration

With the recognition that the United States has the highest
incarceration rate and largest prison population in any country, many
groups have begun proposing alternatives to incarceration (or A.T.I.)
programs. These programs seek to shift the focus of the criminal justice
system away from punishment and towards rehabilitation. These programs
strive to give courts more options when sentencing people, and strive
to maintain community ties that would otherwise be broken by
incarcerating men and women far from their homes. Here are a few
examples:

The Fortune Society -- has programs designed to assist individuals break
the cycle of criminal activity by addressing the physical, emotional,
psychological, and psycho-social needs specific to those involved in the
criminal justice system; enable successful participants to live a
constructive, independent, and self-sufficient life by developing
educational & vocational skills consistent with legitimate, gainful
employment; culturally-appropriate programming and residential drug
treatment as an alternative to incarceration. ("Building People, Not
Prisons")

The Osborne Association -- offers highly motivated participants an
intensive program while they are still incarcerated, including cognitive
skills, job readiness, and fatherhood programming and vocational
training, including computer literacy and culinary arts training leading
to a NYC Food Handler’s Certificate and assistance in gaining employment
in the food services sector.

Community Corrections -- also called "halfway houses," "residential
reentry centers," probation keeps the offender in the community but puts
limits and obligations on his freedom. Probation can come with many
conditions attached, including meeting regularly with a probation
officer, staying under house arrest during certain parts of the day,
remaining drug-free, working, doing community service, and participating
in substance abuse or mental health treatment.