Day fines, as a pecuniary sanction, have a great potential to reduce inequality in the criminal sentencing system, as they impose the same relative punishment on all offenders irrespective of their income. Furthermore, with correct implementation, they can constitute an alternative sanction to the more repressive and not always efficient short-term prison sentences. Finally, by independently expressing in the sentence the severity and the income of the offender, day fines can increase uniformity and transparency of sentencing. Having this in mind, almost half of the European Union countries have adopted day fines in their criminal justice system. For the first time, this book makes their findings accessible to a wider international audience. Aimed at scholars, policy makers and criminal law practitioners, it provides an opportunity to learn about the theoretical advantages, the practical challenges, the successes and failures, and ways to improve.

Presents guidelines for those who are considering using structured fines as part of their overall sentencing system. Offers planning and operation instructions applicable to every jurisdiction, such as how to set goals and priorities, develop a unit scale that ranks offenses by severity, calculate fine amounts, and impose the structured fine sentence. Collection methods and techniques, critical to the success of a structured fine program, are also discussed. Contains demonstration projects and sources for further information, examples of a day fine unit scale, fine unit evaluation tables, offender financial data forms, and notices sent to offenders.

This monograph presents guidelines for policymakers and criminal justice practitioners who are considering using structured fines as part of their overall sentencing system. Collection methods and techniques, critical to the overall success of a structured fine program, are also discussed. Illustrated.

The need for corrections officers is projected to increase by 16% by 2016 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). This is great news for students completing their criminal justice or criminology degrees as there will be ample employment opportunity. Drs. DeLisi and Conis provide their unparalleled research expertise/productivity and nearly 40 years of combined criminal justice practitioner experience to make American Corrections: Theory, Research, Policy, and Practice, Second Edition the ideal introductory text for the corrections course. They use a straightforward writing style that is scholarly, engaging, and fun. Updated throughout, it contains both classic and cutting-edge contemporary data on correctional topics drawing from the fields of criminology, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, government, and public policy.The text is broken down into four parts, starting with an overview of corrections, including the history and also the philosophy of corrections. It progresses to discuss the management of offender risk and covers the sentencing, diversion, and pretrial treatment of offenders. Part III delves into the prison system and includes chapters on inmate behavior, prison organization, parole, and reentry of the offender in to society. This comprehensive introduction wraps up with special topics in corrections, including juveniles, women, and capital punishment and civil committment.Key Features of the Revised Second Edition:-Now available in paperback!-Revised to be more sociologically-focused, this Second Edition includes boxes throughout highlighting the effects on community.-Provides an increased focus on gender, race, and immigration issues.-Contains more content discussing the philosophy of corrections, encouraging your students to see the big-picture and think critically of the subject.-Every new copy includes an access code to the accompanying student companion website featuring a variety of interactive study aids.Exciting new content added to the Second Edition: -New section on the correctional system and American society-New section on the fiscal costs of the correctional system and ways that correctional policies can save costs while reducing crime-New section on historical developments in corrections-New section on juveniles and the life imprisonment without parole sanction-Expanded correctional case law-New section on teen courts-New section on federal pretrial services-New section on crisis intervention teams -New section on cognitive behavioral therapy -New section on mental health probation-New section on effective correctional policies-New section on back-end sentencing and parole-New section on law enforcement reentry initiatives and reentry courts-New section on Graham v. Florida (2010)-New section on juvenile drug courts-Expanded discussion on women and reentry-New discussion on clemency and elected executions -Updated box features including 13 new box features-Thoroughly updated correctional data-Thoroughly updated literature with more than 300 new references