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Developing and Implementing Alternatives to Incarceration - A Problem of Planned Change in Criminal Justice

NCJ Number
104411
Journal
University of Illinois Law Review Volume: 1984 Issue: 2 Dated: (1984) Pages: 319-364
Author(s)
A T Harland; P W Harris
Date Published
1984
Length
46 pages
Annotation
This paper draws from the literature on theory and research in planned change to present principles for developing and implementing correctional programs that will reduce the incarceration rate.
Abstract
Although many sentencing options besides incarceration have been developed, they have not significantly reduced prison and jail populations, largely because they have not been used with offenders who would have otherwise been imprisoned or jailed. Little attention has been given to the development and implementation of such programs so as to increase the likelihood that decisionmakers will use the programs to reduce prison and jail admissions. This paper first outlines general strategies designed to change organizations in various ways, followed by tactical guidelines for implementing change. A review of issues to be addressed prior to the selection of an implementation strategy covers attributes of innovation, the nature of change required by the innovation, resistance to change, organizational structure, and the aims and roles of innovation promoters. The paper then discusses how to apply the principles of planned change to the development and implementation of alternatives to incarceration. Case examples are provided for the implementation of sentencing and parole guidelines. 246 footnotes.