This Discussion was solely about the AP. We had to find 10-12 new sources and include at least 5 scholarly sources to annotate for our bibliography. The strict requirements for this assignment caused me to make sure I had new and accurate information so that I could provide the best possible argument. Finally, we were asked to give a possible abstract for this new project.

Caffiero, Matthew J. "California Prison Realignment." San Jose State University. San Jose State University, 18 Apr. 2013. Web. 20 July 2016. <http://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1309&context=etd_projects>.
Matthew J. Caffiero, a graduate student at San Jose State University, argues in his Thesis publication, that AB 109 was a well timed measure to address California’s prison overcrowding; however, its implementation was filled with disconnects that will likely harm its effectiveness. He cites studies that involved the ability of jails and prisons to house prisoners while also citing studies that report on the reduction of prisoners in the state in general. This source provides an academic research that evaluates public policy implementation in California that could provide evidence against the current usage of split sentencing, while pointing forward to how a widespread implementation of split sentencing could look.

Jett, Kathryn, and Hancock, Joan. “Realignment in the Counties.” Federal Sentencing Reporter 25.4 (2013). University of California Press. Web. 20 July 2016.
<http://fsr.ucpress.edu/content/25/4/236.full.pdf+html>

Jones, Cooper. “Does Alternative Sentencing Reduce Recidivism? A Preliminary Analysis.” Xavier University (2014). Web. 21 July 2016.
<http://www.xavier.edu/xjop/documents/XJOP_Vol_V_2014_Jones.pdf>
Cooper Jones, a graduate of Xavier University, explored the possibilities of Alternative Sentencing and found that Alternative Sentencing offers no real differences in rates of recidivism compared to traditional incarceration. However, during this study, he made many interesting findings, including how states which have utilized alternative sentencing have seen a reduced recidivism rate, and how alternative sentencing offers a much cheaper alternative to incarceration with little to no collateral. This exploratory study demonstrates simply to the reader the potential benefits of alternative sentencing, and can be used for evidence.

Lee, Thomas F. "Thomas F. Lee: Split Sentencing a Step toward a 21st Century Justice System." Monterey Herald. Monterey Herald, 15 Aug. 2014. Web. 20 July 2016. <http://www.montereyherald.com/article/ZZ/20140815/NEWS/140819016>.

Lofstrom, Magnus, and Raphael, Steven. “Public Safety Realignment and Crime Rates in California.” Public Policy Institute of California. Dec. 2013. Web. 20 July 2016.

Malhotra, Urvashi. “The Great Shift: Analyzing the Effect of Public Safety Realignment on Crime in California Between 2009-2013.” University of California, Berkeley. 2016. Web. 20 July 2016. <http://escholarship.org/uc/item/8770r67k>

Martin, Brandon. "Alternatives to Incarceration in California." (n.d.): n. pag. Public Policy Institute of California. Public Policy Institute of California. Web. 20 July 2016. <http://www.ppic.org/content/av/EventBriefing_AlternativestoIncarceration_0515.pdf>.

McGlothlin, William H. "California Civil Commitment: A Decade Later." Sagepub.com. Journal of Drug Issues, n.d. Web. 20 July 2016. <http://jod.sagepub.com/content/6/4/368.abstract>.
Author William H. McGlothlin argues that those drug related convicts that were committed to parole-type programs were shown to perform better in reducing heroin use compared to those who were discharged from custody shortly after admission. By citing studies that found that parole often lasts nearly three times as long as incarceration, and found that those involved in parole reduced their drug abuse, McGlothlin makes a case for the increased usage of parole. However, he considers the earlier time period, where the behavior was nearly the same, but the parole time was nearly the same as the incarceration time. This article appeared in the Journal of Drug Issues Vol. 6.4, and provides information that speaks on the current drug situation for offenders, and allows readers to understand how getting caught with illegal drugs can affect their lives. This source provides scientific evidence for the benefits of parole and supervised release.

Patchin, Justin W., Ph.D., and Keveles, Gary N., Ph.D. "Alternatives to Incarceration: An Evidence-Based Research Review." (n.d.): n. pag. 12 Nov. 2004. Web. 20 July 2016. <http://fyi.uwex.edu/criminaljusticeandprevention/files/2012/04/alternativestojailsresearchreview.pdf>.
Justin W. Patchin, Ph.D. and Gary N. Keveles, Ph.D. provide evidence, backed by many scientific studies, for the support of alternative sentencing rather than incarceration. They analyzed studies about ten different alternative sentences, ranking the amount of studies that they were able to analyze about each one, from low to high. In this report, they conglomerate the findings of the studies to give recommendations about how to approach the problem of incarceration. These authors are obviously supportive of alternative sentencing, as they point out all the positive aspects of the studies, and give recommendations about sentencing that they consider important, such as the acronym SARA. This article is helpful to find evidence in favor of alternative sentencing, and a reader who would like to find scientific backing for their claims in favor of alternative sentencing would find this greatly helpful.

Petersilia, Joan, Susan Turner, James Kahan, and Joyce Peterson. "Granting Felons Probation: Public Risks and Alternatives." Journal of Criminal Justice 13.5 (1985): 481. Rand.org. Web. 20 July 2016. <http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/reports/2007/R3186.pdf>.
Joan Petersilia, Susan Turner, James Kahan, and Joyce Peterson prepared an argue against the widespread usage of probation in a report for the National Institute of Justice. In this report, they cite many misconceptions about probationers, including the notion that most are convicted of minor offenses. They utilize samples from Los Angeles and Alameda counties to demonstrate the recidivism rates of probationers and cite the issue of public safety as reason to inflict harsher punishments. This paper provides evidence against the use of probation within split sentencing and alternative sentences, and readers who are concerned about criminal justice will find it very informing.

Abstract:

California’s costly incarceration problem has yet to bow its head. Despite the impact of legislation such as AB 109, the state’s incarcerated as a whole are costing the state an absurd amount of money while rates of recidivism are stagnating. In response to this mess, a movement towards alternative sentences, where the offender’s needs are considered more highly than punishment, has developed. This movement has lead to the state’s desire to reduce both costs, overcrowding, and rates of recidivism. Within the alternative sentencing sphere, supporters cite split sentencing and increased use of probation and mandatory supervision and reintegration programs as the most productive and efficient way to deal with convicts, citing both the reduced costs of supervision and reduced recidivism rates. However, not everyone possesses the same mindset regarding such prisoners, as opponents of alternative sentencing cite breaches in public safety when releasing such criminals back into society. Such detractors state the misconceptions regarding probationers and those supervising, and claiming these practices are not as safe and helpful as they are made out to be. Despite this, the supporters of alternative sentences claim the reductions in recidivism demonstrate there is no concern for public safety and the reductions in costs to state also provide more monetary funds for improving public safety. In this paper, it is demonstrated that alternative sentences such as split sentencing and probation work to reduce state criminal justice costs, reduce recidivism rates, and overcrowding. Through the use of scientific studies, it is shown that the current system is ineffective and alternative sentences provide the best and most helpful approach to fixing California’s overcrowding, costs, and recidivism rates.