Includes bibliographical references (p. 103-106) and index.

The American prison system is ineffective and requires reform / Jennifer Gonnerman -- There are too many alternatives to incarceration / Families against Mandatory Minimums -- Community corrections provide effective alternatives to prison / Joan Petersilia, as told to the Pew Cneter on the States -- Drug courts are effective in reducing recidivism / JeJessica Huseman -- Drug courts are not effective for all offenders / Justice Policy Institute -- Mental health courts are effective in reducing recidivism / Emma Schwartz -- Boot camps can be an effective alternative to prisons for adults / Andy Hoag -- Shame punishment is an effective alternative to incarceration / Albert B. Southwick -- Shame punishment has limits as criminal justice / Greg Beato -- Electronic monitoring and intensive probation reduce recidivsism / Graeme Wood -- Electronic monitoring does not prevent repeat crimes / London Evening Standard -- Swift and certain sanctions are an effective alternative to incarceration / National Institute of Justice -- Castration for sex offenders is a controversial alternative to incarceration / Dan Bilefsky -- Reading courses offer an effective alternative to incarceration / Anna Barker.

This volume addresses alternatives to incarceration and the pros and cons of employing them to control crime and recidivism.