The introductory chapter presents and comments on the resolution on principles and directions for research on noncustodial sanctions that emerged from the Workshop on Alternatives to Imprisonment, which was held as part of the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (Havana, Cuba, 1990). Alternatives to imprisonment are discussed for the following regions and continents: Africa, Arab countries, Asia and the Pacific region, Australia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. On the basis of the material presented, the editor concludes there is an interest throughout the world in increasing the use of noncustodial sanctions. This is clear in legislation as well as penal philosophy and policy. Despite the increased theoretical interest in noncustodial sanctions, however, there is a gap between policy and practice. This gap is clearest in sentencing practice, where imprisonment continues to be the preferred sentence. In many jurisdictions (e.g., Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United States), there is a trend toward the diversification of noncustodial sanctions. Specific patterns found in the various countries are an extension of noncustodial sanctions to a greater range of offenses and offenders, a greater use of the classical noncustodial sanctions, development of noncustodial sanctions that contain a number of conditions, and renewed interest in traditional sanctions and in sanctions that rely on traditional infrastructures. In some countries the use of noncustodial sanctions is promoted through the development of measures that provide guides for sentencing. There is an increased interest in national and international standard setting, with an emphasis on legal safeguards. There is a paucity of statistical data and research on the effectiveness of noncustodial sanctions and problems met in promoting them. Chapter notes and extensive tabular data