THE ALBERTA, CANADA, FINE OPTION PROGRAM BEGAN WHEN A SURVEY DISCLOSED THAT 40 PERCENT OF THE INMATES IN PROVINCIAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS WERE THERE FOR NONPAYMENT OF FINES. THE PROGRAM IS LIMITED TO THOSE OFFENDERS WHO ARE NOT CONSIDERED TO BE SECURITY RISKS AND IS DIRECTED PARTICULARLY TOWARD FIRST-TIME OFFENDERS. A CONTRACT IS ARRANGED BETWEEN THE OFFENDER AND THE FINE OPTION OFFICER WHICH ALLOWS THE OFFENDER THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS: (1) TO REPAY THE FINE IN SMALLER INSTALLMENTS FROM REGULAR WAGES; (2) TO REPAY AN AMOUNT SMALLER THAN THE ORIGINAL FINE; (3) SUBSTITUTE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER SERVICE AT THE RATE OF $3 AN HOUR FOR PART OR ALL OF THE FINE; OR (4) TO ALLOW A COMBINATION OF THESE OPTIONS. BETWEEN DECEMBER 1, 1976, AND JUNE 30, 1977, A TOTAL OF 236 PERSONS (195 MALES AND 41 FEMALES) WERE FOUND TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM. OF THESE, 18 WERE RETURNED TO THE INSTITUTION FOR VARIOUS REASONS. FOR THE 218 SUCCESSFUL PARTICIPANTS A TOTAL OF 3,045 DAYS OF INCARCERATION WERE AVOIDED AT A SAVINGS OF $83,700 (FIGURED AT THE RATE OF $28 A DAY). THE SUCCESSFUL PARTICIPANTS REMAINED IN THE COMMUNITY AS PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS AND AVOIDED JAIL RECORDS. FOR MANY, IT BROKE THE CYCLE OF ARREST, FINE, AND INCARCERATION. A TOTAL OF $9,490.50 IN FINE MONEY WAS COLLECTED, AND 4,609 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE WERE CONTRIBUTED. THE AGENCIES HELPED WERE VERY ENTHUSIASTIC. THE PROGRAM IS CONSIDERED A SUCCESS. (GLR) SUCCESS. (GLR)