alternatives to incarceration

As the first quarter of 2025 comes to an end, the ISSUP Philippine Chapter continues to strengthen its partnerships and broaden its influence across national and international platforms. The past months have been marked by crucial...

The global incarceration rate has been steadily rising, with nearly 11 million individuals detained either awaiting trial or serving sentences worldwide. Prison overcrowding presents a longstanding and pervasive challenge for numerous...

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) highlights the strong link between drug use and criminal behavior, recognizing addiction as a disease requiring public health and safety interventions. The administration aims to break the cycle of drug use and crime through innovative, evidence-based approaches. These include smart probation strategies, like Hawaii's HOPE program and South Dakota's 24/7 Sobriety Project, which emphasize swift and certain sanctions for violations, reducing recidivism and saving costs. Drug courts, which combine treatment with judicial oversight, have shown success in reducing substance use and criminal activity. The administration supports expanding these programs to improve public safety and health outcomes while reducing correctional costs.

Alternatives to incarceration (ATIs) are mainly designed for offenders whose criminal behavior is driven by an underlying substance abuse disorder. This behavior can include not only crimes related to substance use (e.g., possession) but...