Chapter 12, Response Paper. (Introduction to Criminology)

Chapter 12, Response Paper (Introduction to Criminology) Name: Institution: Course: Instructor: Date: Chapter 12: Alternatives to Prison Summary of the reading The prison system is the tool majorly used globally including in the U.S. to punish criminal offenders. However, while prisons exist, only a small percentage of people convicted of crime are sent to prison with the majority sent to prison alternatives such as community corrections, diversion programs, house arrests, fines, and restitution. All these alternatives to prison exist strategically to help reduce the downsides or collateral effects of imprisonment. Collateral effects of incarceration refer to the indirect harm that imprisonment causes to those people surrounding or depending on the convicted individual. For example, when the father of a household is imprisoned, the wife or other family member must step up to support and raise the children otherwise children will be taken to foster care and the state or federal government will have to offer the necessary financial support. Additionally, the children left behind lack parental support and often grow up mentally affected as compared to other children who have both parents present. In addition to affecting families financially, evidence shows that children from a family with parental incarceration cases were more likely to break laws than others. Incarceration also breaks families by putting great stress on marriages and significantly alters the lives of prisoners both in prison and post-imprisonment. Once imprisoned, one faces the challenge of re-entering into a community amid several legal restrictions on employment opportunities and other privileges. All these collateral damages have far-reaching consequences and the existence of prison alternatives helps cushion citizens from these life-altering consequences. Alternatives such as community correlations, house confinement, and community service help keep minor offenders in their communities whi...