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California
Alternative Sentencing Programs
ALTERNATIVES
TO JAIL
•
Electronic
Monitoring, House Arrest or Home
Detention –
House arrest, electronic
monitoring, or home detention
are types of alternative
sentencing that limit and/or monitor
the defendant's mobility. The
participant is fitted with
an electronic device or ankle
bracelet. This ankle bracelet
monitors the whereabouts of the
participant at all times. The
participant may attend necessary
functions, such as school, work,
church, and other activities approved
by the program's administrator.
Electronic monitoring may be court-issued
or the defendant may have to apply
for it independent of the court
with the help of a skilled attorney.
•
Work
Release or
Work Furlough Programs
– The participant
in this program goes to a designated
work site, usually on a daily
basis, to perform physical labor.
At the end of the workday, the
participant is allowed to go home
or to return to a housing dormitory
facility other than county jail.
Until the work release or work
furlough program requirements
have been successfully fulfilled,
the participant is required to
return to the work site the next
day or as instructed.
•
Drug
Courts (Proposition
36) – Drug treatment options
for drug users are an effective
type of alternative sentence.
This strict program includes random
drug testing and can be successful
for certain defendants.
•
City Jail or
Private Jail –
This alternative sentencing program
allows the defendant to continue
working and complete the sentence
on weekends in a private, city
jail. Participants check themselves
in on Friday afternoon and are
released on Sunday afternoon.
Specific eligibility requirements
apply. Participants may be required
to pay a fee for their weekend
stays.
•
Diversion
Programs –
The defendant is required to complete
a series of drug educational programs
for a period of 6 months. When
the defendant completes all required
classes and programs, charges
may be dismissed. If all classes
are successfully completed the
conviction may be avoided altogether.
•
Sober Living –
The participants will be housed
in a private facility geared mainly
for defendants with alcohol abuse
problems. Here, there will be
individual and group therapy sessions,
along with required house chores.
House rules and curfews are enforced.
•
Community Service -
Participants are required to work
in city organizations or perform
clean up duties in and around
the city. |
