The City Council is putting the different ways to keep people out of city jails in the spotlight.  

This comes after the City Council held an oversight hearing on Thursday, saying that community-based alternatives to justice are better than just throwing criminals in jail – and it’s cheaper for the city, too. 

Some also highlighted how it helps those who have served their sentences in city jails.   

"They also assist individuals who are released from incarceration to reintegrate with their families and the communities,” said Tracy Garder, senior vice president for policy advocacy at the Legal Action Center. “By lowering these barriers to employment, housing, and health services, and thereby reducing the likelihood of rearrest and recidivism."  

City Council members say they want to use and enhance these programs to reduce the amount of people in city jails.