Local control with State-wide coordination of alternatices to incarceration is achieved in New York State under a State Division for that purpose.
Alternatives to Incarceration can save taxpayer moneys, reduce recidivism, and, most important, restore lives. The inspiration and guidance for the creative application of restorative justice principles is thus managed.
A good look at the methods used in the USA can be found in an interview with Bob Macccarone, Director of the New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives, at http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/pio/cjforum/transcripts/prob-corr-alts-podcast-transcript.html
In New York State, funds are allocated to Counties through this State Division. Regulations regarding New York State Grants to County Probation Services, for such purposes, can be found at http://www.dpca.state.ny.us/345.htm
Through a Watson Fellowship, I will be exploring how states, individuals, and/or community leaders respond to currently illegal/unwanted practices in a manner that avoids institutionalization/incarceration in prisons and.or mental hospitals. I am interested in creative approaches to controlling unwanted/illegal behavior that avoids incarceration, and these practices can be in the beginning stages, can simply be campaigns of education, etc. Two quick examples: Portugal’s decriminalization of drug possession, and the use of mandatory community service sentences instead of short prison sentences.
So: I was wondering if any fellow readers of this blog had any info (practices, organizations, states) regarding alternatives to incarceration — however you may understand the category to function.
Thank you, very much, for your time.
Eric