U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Expanding the Use of Non-Custodial Sentencing Options: An Evaluation of the Kansas Community Corrections Act

NCJ Number
123885
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 29 Issue: 2 Dated: (May 1990) Pages: 114-129
Author(s)
P R Jones
Date Published
1990
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Part II of the recent, "Green Paper Punishment, Custody and the Community," has focused on non-custodial sentencing options. A similar emphasis on community-based sanctions is currently to be found in the United States, where severe prison crowding conditions have resulted in court-imposed restrictions on custodial sentences in several states.
Abstract
Partly in response to this problem a small number of states have introduced comprehensive Community Corrections Acts (CCAs) which seek to provide viable "alternatives to incarceration." Research evaluation of such programs have highlighted several problem areas, particularly surrounding the issues of diversion and public safety. While the "nothing works" label is clearly inappropriate there is skepticism about the efficacy of extending the use of community based programs. This paper discusses these issues and draws on the findings of a recent assessment of the Community Corrections Act of Kansas. 3 tables, 3 figures, 26 notes, 30 references. (Author abstract)