Which policy illustrates alternatives to incarceration?

• A. Incarceration for all minor offenses.
• B. Drug courts.
• C. Increasing jail capacity.
• D. Mandatory minimums.

Answer: (B)

Alternatives to incarceration aim to steer offenders away from prison and into programs that address underlying issues, like treatment for substance use, under court supervision. Drug courts embody this approach by diverting eligible non-violent offenders with drug problems into a structured program that combines treatment services, regular court reviews, drug testing, and a system of incentives and sanctions. Success in the program can lead to reduced charges or dismissal, allowing individuals to recover in the community rather than be imprisoned. The other options expand or enforce incarceration—offering jail time for minor offenses, increasing jail capacity, or mandating fixed prison terms—without providing a treatment- and supervision-based path outside of prison.