Decarceration

Decarceration refers to the process of reducing the number of people confined in prisons and jails. It aims to decrease incarceration rates through measures like alternative sentencing, parole, or addressing the root causes of crime, such as social and economic factors. The goal is to promote fairness, improve public safety, and focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Decarceration often seeks to correct systemic issues by reducing over-reliance on incarceration, especially for non-violent offenders, and creating a more equitable justice system that emphasizes community-based solutions.