Short-term freedom curtailing penalties and alternative sanctions

This thesis examines the need for alternative sanctions of short-term freedom curtailing penalties. Alternative sentences are a good option for misdemeanor criminal convictions and these are a deterrent as powerful as incarceration. During the 19th century, punishments by confining freedom of a person was accepted as the most useful among all penalties. But today, the idea shaping the policy of punishments has been derived from the thought that adaption of the criminals to the society can be sustained by making them live in the society. Alternative sanctions in sentencing in the 21st century seem to be promising practies. Contemporary crime and punishment policy has come to the opinion thet in order to re-socialize, tame and readopt to the public, rehabilitating the criminals without altering their freedom is more effective. This tendency showed its reflections in Turkey too. Some examples of alternative sanctions currently in use are; community service, intensive supervised probation, electronic surveillance, day fines, probation, restitution, restorative justice. In the chapter one, penalty concept, aim of punishment, penalty types and the views in favor of and againts of imprisonment are examined. In chapter two, short-term freedom curtailing penalties and the alternative sanctions are examined. In chapter three, as the other alternative sanctions in sentencing; 'reprieve', ' release on bail' and 'probation measures' are examined. Finally the part titled 'Conclusion and Consideration' includes my views and suggestions.