Effectiveness of alternatives to prison

Question 1

Why alternatives to prison are effective

Answer 1

P-Prison is not as successful at stopping people from reoffending.
E-Many people go into prison and do not get any help with their problems, such as drug abuse or anger problems, and therefore continue to commit crimes when released from prison.
E- Over 50% of prisoners sentenced to 6 months or less reoffend on release however it is much lower for non-custodial sentences such as Community Payback Order (around 31%).

P -Prisons are badly overcrowded.
E-When prisons are overcrowded it is unsafe, could lead to violence, forced early release and prisoners are less likely to get access to meaningful rehabilitation in order to tackle the causes of their offending.
E- Many prisons in Scotland have two prisoners sharing a cell designed for one person.

Question 2

Alternatives are not effective

Answer 2

P-Prison is more appropriate for serious offenders who would pose a danger to the community.
E-People will not feel safe if dangerous criminals are still in the community.
E-Prison officers can work with the perpetrator to tackle their behaviour so that they are more likely to not reoffend on release.

P-Often seen as a ‘soft’ option and prison is seen as a real punishment.
E-They cannot commit any more crimes whilst they are in prison.
E- It is easy for offenders to break the terms of their non-custodial sentence, commit crimes

whilst serving a non-custodial sentence and are not a deterrent, with many reoffending within a short period of time.