Define What Intermediate Sanctions, Purpose In The Criminal Justice Process, And Function As A Sentencing Alternative Punishment

Define what intermediate sanctions are:
Probation and Prisons are not the only forms of punishment. There are some wrongdoers who may not be eligible for probation. Incarceration of an offender may be unnecessary. Intermediate sanctions were created to pick up the slack of both correction facilities and probation departments. Intermediate sanctions are combined with imprisonment and probation and amongst themselves to create a punishment more suitable for wrongdoers who deserve a stricter punishment than probation. Intermediate sanctions are designed as specific forms of punishments or treatments for an offender. Depending on an offenders situation there are intermediate sanctions to reflect

and assign the offender to a program, (University of Phoenix, 2006) more suitable to the crime that was committed. Intermediate sanctions are only administered by the courts and probation departments.

Their purpose in the criminal justice process:
Intermediate sanctions are used as another method of punishment to lower

the pressure on probation departments and corrections facilities. The purpose of intermediate sanctions in the criminal justice process is to create stability. These sanctions are the median created to punish criminals who are considered to receive a stricter punishment than probation alone, such “ISP programs, shock incarceration, and home confinement.”( University of Phoenix, 2006, p. 298-303). However, these alternate forms of punishment are used to reflect on the crime committed without incarceration.
Their function as a sentencing alternative punishment:
The main function of intermediate sanctions is to create a balance between overcrowded prisons, and offenders who may pose a more serious threat in the community than one that may only receive probation or be a first time offender.

Reference:
University of Phoenix. (2006). Probation and Community Corrections. Retrieved May 15, 2009, from University of Phoenix, Week Seven, CJS200.