The legislature recognizes that incarcerating offenders carries an extremely high cost and may not be the most effective strategy for restoring victims, reforming offenders, and reducing recidivism. It is the intent of 44-7-302 to have the board of crime control apply for grants that will provide funds to state and local entities that establish restorative justice programs to divert from incarceration appropriate offenders who are at low risk for violence. It is also the intent that restorative justice programs be supported by federal, state, and local funds.
§ 44-7-301, MCA