What is the term used for sentencing individuals who should have received probation to a harsher intermediate sanction?

The term referring to the practice of sentencing individuals who would typically qualify for probation to a more severe intermediate sanction is known as net widening. This concept occurs when programs intended for rehabilitation and alternative sentencing inadvertently increase the number of individuals under correctional supervision, often leading to harsher conditions.

Net widening can result in more offenders being subjected to various forms of intermediate sanctions, such as intensive supervision or other restrictive measures, rather than receiving the probation that may have been appropriate for their offenses. This phenomenon can undermine the original goal of providing alternatives to incarceration and may contribute to increased recidivism rates and detrimental outcomes for individuals who are caught in the expanded net of correctional control. Understanding this term is critical for those in the field of community corrections, as it highlights the challenges and potential unintended consequences associated with alternative sentencing strategies.