County police officers have traditionally been reluctant to make arrests for cases involving possession of a small amount of drugs, knowing that offenders would not get the help they need in a correctÂ¬ional facility. Recently, the county established an alternÂ¬ative that enables defendants to avoid prosecution upon completion of a drug treatment program. But the only way to enter the program is through referral by the prosecuÂ¬tor's office. The police now make far more arrests for small amo

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The increase in arrests for small amounts of drugs due to the establishment of a drug treatment program as an alternative to prosecution is an example of "net-widening." This term refers to the process by which new interventions or policies intended to divert individuals from the criminal justice system actually result in more individuals being brought into the system.

County Police Officers Have Traditionally Been Reluctant to Make Arrests