Alternative measures to incarceration: do they prevent crimes?

Literature review and criminological study of the effectiveness of alternative measures to incarceration implemented in Catalonia between 2006 and 2020.

Abstract

The number of offenders submitted to alternative measures to incarceration has been increasing in recent years, whereas the prison population is decreasing. The main aim of the present study is to analyze the implementation and enforcement of penal community services in Catalonia during the 2006-2020 period. At the same time, the effectiveness of these community measures in contrast to the effectiveness of prison sentences will be also analyzed on the base of indicators such as recidivism rates and the variables and factors associated with a reduction in recidivism. It is also intended to detect the problems derived from its implementation and enforcement, with special attention to the concordance with the purposes of the sentence. For all this, a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the documentary sample will be carried out, which is made up of the results and reports of previous research on said subject. Albeit certain errors have been detected in the implementation and enforcement of these measures, they appear to be more effective in terms of resocialization of the sentenced person than incarceration. It is hoped that these results may be useful for the future practice of community services and for upcoming investigations.