Reform · Initiatives
Reform initiatives
Concrete laws, programmes, and pilots that have changed (or attempted to change) how a country incarcerates. Each is editorial — we cite primary sources where possible.
- Maranguka Justice Reinvestment Project (Bourke, NSW)active2013–ongoing
Australia · alternatives
Aboriginal-led project in the town of Bourke that redirects criminal-justice spending into community-driven prevention. Began 2013 with deep community partnership and data sharing with police, courts, and child-protection services.
- Mandatory community-service consideration for short sentencesactive2011–ongoing
Ireland · alternatives
Since the Criminal Justice (Community Service) Amendment Act 2011, Irish judges must consider community service for any custodial sentence of 12 months or less. The Probation Service supervises the orders.
- Home detention for vulnerable categoriesactive2009–ongoing
Argentina · alternatives
Argentine law 26.472 permits home detention for pregnant women, mothers of children under five, the elderly (75+), and terminally ill prisoners. Greatly expanded use during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
- Drug decriminalisationactive2001–ongoing
Portugal · alternatives
Portugal decriminalised possession of small quantities of all drugs in 2001, redirecting users from criminal courts to Dissuasion Commissions which can refer them to treatment. Drug supply remains criminalised.