Community Correction. Impact on Special Population Needs
Community-based correction has developed into a major part of US justice system, with as much as 70% of non-violent criminal offenders having their incarceration replaced with correctional programs (Shilton, 2000). However, as targeting of these programs is not always efficient, a substantial number of offenders who would have otherwise succeeded in the community suffer from negative impact of incarceration, which results in higher probability of them repeating the offence. Some particular segments of special population who benefit from community service the most include underage youth, mentally ill, elderly and substance abusers. Community programs help them address their needs such as completing education or receiving appropriate medical treatment, and ultimately result in more successful reintegration in the society.
Teenage offenders present a peculiar challenge to the justice system. As the absolute majority of them still attend high school at the time of breaking the law, it is vitally important to provide them with an opportunity to complete their education. Jails and prisons usually lack resources to do so at a sufficient quality. In addition, violent environment does an incorrigible damage to the persons who have not reached their maturity yet. As a result, deprived of education and mentally unstable, their chances for successful transition upon release from incarceration become strikingly slim. Community programs, on the other hand, allow non-violent teenage offenders to finish high school without compromising their future.
Those who had a history of mental illness prior to conviction or developed one during their term also present a problem, estimated to have reached one million (Shilton, 2000). All of them belong to a risk group as most of jails and prisons have a limited capacity for treating mental disorders. When such offenders are committed to the community correction instead, this improves their access to psychiatric help. Obtaining necessary medications, which a lot of them require before their condition can be stabilized, is also easier outside of incarceration.
Elderly people represent another segment of population with special characteristics. Despite lower arrest rates, the number of incarcerated elder population increases (Shilton, 2000). Compared to their younger counterparts, the elderly require more medical care and assisted living. Participations in community programs allows to address these needs more effectively, as providing appropriate conditions in prisons costs more money. In addition, elderly people are less likely to repeat their offences and less likely to commit violent crimes (Silton, 2000). These characteristics make them suitable candidates for a chance to repent without serving their sentence.
Substance abusers present a majority in incarcerated population; an increasing amount of people ends up in jail due to the drug-related offences. The programs which have been developed so far recognize the root of the problem in the drug abuse rather than in the personality of the offenders and help them to get rid of the addiction. Providing medical treatment, the authorities tie the successful completion of the program to the dismissal of the charges …
