The concept of selective incapacitation may be successful in a time when the prison populations are excessively high because it helps to identify those inmates who are dangerous or who are labeled as “career criminals”. These inmates should be detained in prison for longer periods of time. Those who are not dangerous or who are first time offenders may benefit from a correctional alternative sentence. This would make better use of resources, prison cells and better protect society (Allen, Latessa, Ponder, 2016). However, if a “first time offender” committed the same crime as a “career criminal” is it safe to say he should be given a lesser sentence because he may not commit another crime?
