Report that USSC is working on incarceration alternatives

In the Wall Street Journal, Gary Fields has this effective piece discussing what the US Sentencing Commission might have in the works.  Here are lengthy excerpts:

The panel that sets sentencing guidelines for federal courts plans to focus on developing alternatives to incarceration, setting up a possible clash with the Justice Department.

Exactly what the U.S. Sentencing Commission might recommend isn't clear.  Possible models include bodies such as drug courts, which place offenders in treatment instead of prison.  The panel's intention, which it mentioned in a filing in the Federal Register, could provide an impetus for cash-strapped states to follow suit.  Justice Department spokeswoman Laura Sweeney said the department is hopeful about the use of monitoring technologies and other strategies, but "we do not believe the use of alternatives should be expanded without further rigorous research showing their effectiveness in promoting public safety."...

This summer, the commission hosted a two-day symposium on alternatives to prison. "We're going to be looking at what might fit at the starting point, before somebody is sent to prison," said District Court Judge Ricardo Hinojosa, who is chairman of the commission. Mr. Hinojosa said the commission will likely proceed cautiously, with considerations of public safety being paramount. Advocates for the idea say the panel's planned consideration is a significant step....

Popular options discussed at the commission's symposium included drug courts now found in every state, which are used to divert drug offenders into treatment programs, community service and restitution centers. These centers allow low-risk offenders to live in residential settings while working to pay their fines and restitution, plus their room and board.

Nationally, the political climate may be receptive to such a change. There has been little discussion of crime on the campaign trail, a place where candidates once vied to appear tougher than their opponents.  Recent congressional hearings have focused on the economic and social costs of the nation's drug policies and juvenile-detention system.  That's a far cry from just three years ago, when at least one bill was introduced that would have beefed up mandatory minimum penalties for drug crimes.

Some related posts:

• What does the future hold for the US Sentencing Commission?
• USSC proposes latest priorities and requests public comments
• Acquitting and downloading some additional USSC priorities
• Developing AG and USSC short lists
• New developments or data from the USSC?