Community-based programs are designed to be tougher than traditional probation, but less punitive and less costly than imprisonment. Intensive supervision, electronically monitored house arrest, and community service are among the most popular programs. A nationwide survey of intermediate sanction programs and criteria shows that the criteria generally reflect a jurisdiction's principles regarding punishment and its degree of prison crowding. For example, the Utah intensive supervision program accepts sex offenders, but the New Jersey program does not. Although specific criteria differ across jurisdictions, intermediate sanction programs usually target one of four groups: all felons excluding murderers and rapists; only nonviolent felons; only felons convicted of auto theft, forgery, fraud, driving under the influence, traffic violations, public disorder, probation or parole revocation, and court offenses; or persons revoked for probation or parole violations. Programs further limit eligibility by considering the offender's criminal record. The analysis suggests that many of those admitted to prison appear to be candidates for intermediate sanctions. It also highlights the need for individual States and jurisdictions to identify the characteristics of offender populations before assessing alternative sentencing strategies. 6 references, 1 table, and 1 figure