Impact Of The Community Corrections Act On Sentencing Patterns

This volume addresses major issues and research in corrections and sentencing with the goal of using previous research and findings as a platform for recommendations about future research, evaluation, and policy. The last several decades witnessed major policy changes in sentencing and corrections in the United States, as well as considerable research to identify the most effective strategies for addressing criminal behavior. These efforts included changes in sentencing that eliminated parole and imposed draconian sentences for violent and drug crimes. The federal government, followed by most states, implemented sentencing guidelines that greatly reduced the discretion of the courts to impose sentences. The results were a multifold increase in the numbers of individuals in jails and prisons and on community supervision—increases that have only recently crested. There were also efforts to engage prosecutors and the courts in diversion and oversight, including the development of prosecutorial diversion programs, as well as a variety of specialty courts. Penal reform has included efforts to understand the transitions from prison to the community, including federal-led efforts focused on reentry programming. Community corrections reforms have ranged from increased surveillance through drug testing, electronic monitoring, and in some cases, judicial oversight, to rehabilitative efforts driven by risk and needs assessment. More recently, the focus has included pretrial reform to reduce the number of people held in jail pending trial, efforts that have brought attention to the use of bail and its disproportionate impact on people of color and the poor. This collection of chapters from leading researchers addresses a wide array of the latest research in the field. A unique approach featuring responses to the original essays by active researchers spurs discussion and provides a foundation for developing directions for future research and policymaking.

Corrections in the Community is an introductory text that provides a solid foundation of the most recent and salient information available on the broad and dynamic subject of community corrections. It explores the issues and practices facing community corrections, using the latest research in the field, in a way that makes it easy to use and understand. This book provides students with a thorough understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of community corrections. Includes two new chapters highlighting what works in community corrections and how programs can be evaluated for effectiveness Contains contemporary real-world examples illustrating successful methods that continue to improve community supervision and its effects on different types of clients Organizes and explains the latest data on the assessment of offender risk/need/responsivity and the training of corrections practitioners in bringing about positive change in offenders

The articles in this collection originally appeared in the journal “Overcrowded Times”. They provide an overview of sentencing policy, practices, and institution in the United States, other English-speaking countries (Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand & South Africa), and Europe.

This handbook surveys American sentencing and corrections from global and historical views, from theoretical and policy perspectives, and with attention to a number of problem-specific issues.