REVISEDASSIGNMENT.docx

During the flourishing 1980s, governments, particularly in the United States, lured not just state but also local governments to embrace what may be dubbed “tough on crime” measures (Kim, 2018). It has been demonstrated that such policing practices, together with sentencing procedures, resulted to a dramatic increase in the jail population in less than a decade. 2
 Individuals living in areas of historical, persistent urban poverty ended up being sent to prison at rates unrivaled by any other ear. Prison growth can be deemed extensive, as well as involving each state in partnership with the federal government. Many people (in the millions) were detained or imprisoned in the absence of public scrutiny.

Nonetheless, policymakers have come to realize that over-criminalization, along with mass incarceration, causes more harm than benefitting the economy, as well as weakening communities and national well-being (Kilgore, 2013). In this light, it has become vital to develop alternatives to incarceration in to address the harmful consequences of mass incarceration. In fact, legislative authorities in the United States have sponsored legislation aimed at reducing or controlling prison populations. President Biden’s administration during his campaign even promised a prison reform and is currently working on it.

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 Alternatives to Incarceration Which Juvenile Courts Presently Use Some of the three commonly used alternatives to incarceration that are meant for the juvenile offenders are such as the evening reporting centers, home detention in addition to MST (Multisystemic Therapy). Centers for juveniles mean a lot to me as I was often times sent to after care. It was not for being a disruptive child, however, it was fun to be around other children. There were tutors, snacks, and movies. Home detention can work if home life is not the cause of bad behavior for these troubled juveniles. MST, which is an family and community based treatment as well intends to help juveniles with substance abuse or more in the home. The need for counseling if children are sent to this program is particularly important and I believe would be the main factor this treatment can work.

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 Evening Reporting Centers The operation hours for the evening reporting centers fall under the after-school hours, that is within the hours of six o’clock and four o’clock in the evening. Within the said centers, the juvenile offenders are allowed to complete their homework, get introduced to various life skills, take part within community service, get meals, as well as, have recreation time (Sawyer, 2020). The evening reporting centers’ staff, monitor the juvenile offenders’ school attendance, as well as keep in touch with the offender’s parents (Wood, 2015). In addition, they also provide transport both to, as well as, from the evening reporting centers.

Home Detention Under the above-mentioned program, the juveniles simply remain at their homes although under certain curfews. The agency staff pays the juveniles a visit within either the homes schools or any other setting. In some cases, multiple visits are made in a single day in to make certain that the juveniles comply with the set release requirements that may include, drug abstinence, school attendance among others. In fact, some of the home detention programs have incorporated electronic monitoring.

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 MST (Multisystemic Therapy) The MST is meant for the serious juvenile offenders. 
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 Under the program, a therapist makes a visit to the juvenile offenders in addition to being readily accessible by the immediate family. The MST operates with families in addressing the underlying, delinquency causes. 
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 Besides, the therapists assist the juveniles along with their families in establishing a vibrant support network in to realize, as well as, maintaining the projected positive changes.

Alternatives to Incarceration Benefits/Conclusion The alternatives to incarceration are associated with various benefits due to saving taxpayer dollars, give children the counselling they need in to prevent repeat offenders, and can also help strengthen families and home life. 3
 The most significant benefit is that they are considered to decrease recidivism at high rates of around 70% in addition to bringing about other positive outcomes. Most of all, on the economical perspective, they cut the government expenditure putting into consideration that the prisons are run on the federal or state government funds. However, personally my beliefs are that everything starts at home and if these alternatives help strengthen the family and help children become a better asset to the community as an adult then it is a win/win situation for America.
Sincerely,
Kristen Camero