Compare and contrast three intermediate sanctions in terms of their structure and effectiveness

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Intermediate sanction programs typically include IPS, house arrest, electronic monitoring, restitution orders, shock probation or split sentences, and residential corrections. They may also include sentences administered independently of probation staffs, such as fines and forfeiture, pretrial programs, and pretrial and posttrial residential programs. Fines are monetary payments that are imposed on offenders as an intermediate punishment for their criminal acts. They can be used as the sole sanction or combined with other punishments and most jurisdictions, giving little guidance to judges directing the impositions of fines. Research conducted questions the effectiveness of fines due to the issue of punishing those that are of lower socioeconomic status who may have committed their crimes to obtain monetary stability. Criminal forfeiture proceedings target property used in a crime and do not require that formal criminal proceedings be initiated against a person or that they are proven guilty. The government has been criticized for being overzealous in its application of forfeiture statutes because the penalty is sometimes disproportionate to the crime involved. Another sanction, restitution takes the forms of monetary restitution or community service restitution. Restitution programs offer the offender the chance to avoid jail or a prison sentence. Judges and probation officers have embraced the concept of restitution since it appears to benefit the victim, the offender, the criminal justice system, and society. Shock probation and split sentences are designed to allow judges to grant offenders community release after they have sampled prison life. This type of sentence disrupts the offender's life and can result in a stigma. IPS involves small caseloads and strict monitoring on a daily/weekly basis with the goals of decarceration, control, and reintegration. Research has shown this is more effective when combined with cognitive behavioral treatment programs. House arrest requires the offender to spend a set amount of time in his or her home. No data indicates this is an effective crime deterrent, but does help reduce prison overcrowding. Electronic monitoring requires offenders to wear a monitoring device as part of their community sentence. Evidence suggests this can be effective. RCC is a nonsecure facility that houses probationers who need a more secure environment. Research shows such facilities can be effective at reducing recidivism.