| Abstract [eng] |
The master’s thesis analyzes alternatives to imprisonment in Lithuania. Particular attention is paid to the fact that international and European Union legal standards reflect long-standing and strategic efforts to promote the application of non-custodial measures, clearly establishing the principle that deprivation of liberty should be used as a measure of last resort. The study focuses on specific alternatives to imprisonment, namely community service, fines, and restriction of liberty. The advantages of non-custodial punishments are evaluated not only in terms of their long-term economic benefits to the state but also through their reduced psychological and social harm to offenders. Such punishments allow individuals to remain active participants in society, maintain employment, and preserve family ties. These factors contribute significantly to successful social reintegration and the reduction of recidivism. Additionally, thesis also examines the practical challenges and risks associated with implementing these punishments. It addresses obstacles that may hinder their effectiveness, such as the issue of informed consent and the tendency of offenders to avoid compliance in the case of community service, or the inaccurate regulation of intensive supervision measures, which results in the use of electronic monitoring in cases that do not meet the necessary severity threshold. Alternative sanctions require purposeful and efficient administration, sufficient resources, and public trust. However, when these conditions are met, such measures demonstrate significant advantages over imprisonment in both individual and systemic terms. |
