ALTERNATIVES TO COMMUNITY REFORM IN JORDANIAN LAW (ALTERNATIVE SENTENCES)

Abstract

This paper addresses the alternatives to community reform in Jordanian law as it is one of the most crucial issues in criminal law. Reviewing the distinctive criminal law developments in various countries, we can see that they have made significant progress regarding alternatives to sentences. For example, most countries have established alternative punishments for custodial sentences in a way that is compatible with the gravity of the offense, its consequences, and with the idea of deterrence that is proportionate to the respect that must be shown for human rights and freedoms. In figures the beneficiaries of alternative sanctions reached 979 convicts until mid-August 2022, while it reached 302 cases during 2021, which indicates an expansion in the application of alternative sanctions. However, when we examine the amendments that created these alternatives under Jordanian law, we discover that they also require more expansion and practical application in line with current trends to correct any flaws that might impact the criminal justice system. Studying this gap between theory and practice is crucial to persuade the relevant authorities to broaden the use and development of reform alternatives.