QUESTION TWO (20 MARKS) Describe community base corrections " and explain why they are favored over custodian sentences in offender rehabilitation (20 marks)

Community-based corrections refer to a system of supervision and rehabilitation programs that take place within the community, rather than in a custodial setting such as a prison or jail. These programs aim to rehabilitate offenders and reintegrate them into society, while also reducing the costs and negative impacts associated with incarceration.<br /><br />Community-based corrections are favored over custodial sentences for several reasons:<br /><br />1. Rehabilitation: The primary focus of community-based corrections is on rehabilitation rather than punishment. These programs provide offenders with opportunities to address the underlying issues that contributed to their criminal behavior, such as substance abuse, mental health problems, or lack of education and employment skills. By addressing these issues, community-based corrections aim to reduce the likelihood of recidivism and help offenders become productive members of society.<br /><br />2. Cost-effectiveness: Incarceration is often expensive, with high costs associated with housing, feeding, and supervising offenders in prisons or jails. Community-based corrections, on the other hand, are generally more cost-effective as they utilize existing community resources and infrastructure. This approach helps to reduce the financial burden on the criminal justice system while still providing effective rehabilitation services.<br /><br />3. Public safety: Custodial sentences can sometimes lead to increased public safety risks, as offenders may become more entrenched in criminal behavior upon release from prison. Community-based corrections, however, focus on rehabilitation and reintegration, which can help to reduce the likelihood of reoffending and promote public safety.<br /><br />4. Human rights considerations: Long-term incarceration can have negative impacts on an individual's human rights, including their physical and mental well-being. Community-based corrections aim to provide a more humane and less restrictive alternative, while still holding offenders accountable for their actions.<br /><br />Overall, community-based corrections are favored over custodial sentences because they prioritize rehabilitation, cost-effectiveness, public safety, and human rights considerations. By addressing the root causes of criminal behavior and providing support for offenders to become productive members of society, community-based corrections offer a more effective and humane approach to offender rehabilitation.