Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Research - Essay Example However, it is a fact that irrespective of all the benefits it promises, the option of incarceration also has multiple demerits and disadvantages. Legal incarcerations come at the cost of a very heavy burden over the taxpayers, and in a financial context, happens to be an utterly dearer option (Geraghty, 2004). Besides, when it comes to criminal rehabilitation, it has been found that the criminals get hardened in the prisons and it is only a few criminals that give up crime after their jail term (Geraghty, 2004). So far, in a pragmatic context, it would be safe to say that incarceration has done little towards facilitating a solution for restraining crime in the society. Besides, retaining law and order within the prisons is also a big problem in itself. The overcrowding of the prisons has made it utterly difficult for the prison authorities to securely manage and run prisons (Geraghty, 2004). In the last few decades it has dawned on the law and order authorities in varied states tha t it is possible to safeguard the society without confining the criminals to incarceration (Kruttschnitt, 2006). Besides, it has been found that extending prison sentences to non-violent criminals is not rights and proves to be counterproductive. Therefore for a need is being felt to come out with alternatives to incarceration. Any punishment that intends to punish an offender, without confining one to prison could serve as an alternative to incarceration. Day Reporting Centers Day Reporting centers are an alternative for the prisoners who are not very aggressive and mostly found culpable in petty or non-violent crimes. Day Reporting centers tend to be centers that are non-residential in their scope, and where the prisoners are required to receive supervision and services. Offenders tend to check in, in the Day Reporting Centers on a daily basis, where the plan the days’ activities in consultation with their supervisors, and participate in and adhere to a prescribed treatment schedule. Day Reporting Centers tend to check, guide and rehabilitate the criminals by actively engaging them in varied activities like curfews, community service, employment, enrollment in schools, random drug tests, etc (McBride & VanderWall, 1997). Day Reporting Centers not only happen to be more cost effective as compared to incarceration programs, but also tend to help a lot in relieving the over burdened traditional prison system (McBride & VanderWall, 1997). Day Reporting Centers have their limitations in the sense that they are more suitable for the aged, non-violent and educated prisoners. Day Reporting Centers serve as an alternative to incarceration in both the pretrial and post trial stages. The Day Reporting Centers allow for a very high level of surveillance of the offenders while extending to them the necessary treatment and rehabilitation opportunities (McBride & Vander Wall, 1997). Day Reporting Centers work on the principle of intermediate punishment. Intermediate punishment is any form of punishment that does not involve incarceration, but involves court ordered restrictions. Hence the Day Reporting Centers in a way constitute the middle link between incarceration and a parole. The offenders who participate in the Day Reporting Center programs are allowed to move amidst the society, but with the requisite guidelines and restrictions. Day Reporting Ce