As in other countries, the recidivism rate upon release from prison in France is very high: one third of those released are convicted again within the following year. Do alternative sentencing measures help to reduce reoffending? The authors present several studies which suggest that alternative sentencing measures, such as parole and electronic tagging, reduce reoffending compared with fixed (prison) sentences or unsuspended sentences.
However, several studies find that the use of these alternatives can also lead to longer sentences being imposed, if judicial practitioners adjust their practices accordingly. Sentencing alternatives can be beneficial for convicted offenders, but they must be applied with caution so as not to lead to longer sentences being imposed.
