Prison populations are soaring nationwide (BJS, 2016) which is understandable considering politicians since Richard Nixon in the 1970s have used “Get tough on crime!” as their motto. (Lynch, M. J., 2007) This toughened stance on crime combined with the exponential rise in criminalized offenses and mandatory sentencing guidelines has created an untenable situation for the correctional system. One solution to this crisis is to increase the use of Probation, Intermediate Sanctions and Community Corrections to bring about an immediate reduction in incarcerations. This critical assessment will delve into alternatives to incarceration, their viability and sustainment strategies.
