The Aleph Institute
Alternative Sentencing Proposals

Consulting Services for Attorneys Counseling to Offenders and their Families*

Since 1981, The Aleph Institute has grown to become the nation's foremost non-profit agency working with and on behalf of Jewish men and women affected by the criminal justice system, and addresses significant issues relating to families in crisis and ancillary effects of prison policies. Over the past twenty years, Aleph has created and implemented programs that counsel offenders and their families, and assist lawyers in eliminating or reducing excessive periods of incarceration.

Aleph is the only Jewish organization providing such a wide range of specialized professional services nationwide.

Pre-sentencing, Aleph prepares proposals for courts across the United States, presenting judges with alternative means to provide punishment while eliminating or minimizing periods of incarceration - and the accompanying separation from family and productive living. In providing these specialized professional services, Aleph has worked with many of the foremost attorneys and criminal justice specialists in the country, and makes available a nationwide network of sentencing specialists, former parole and probation officers, forensic psychologists, social workers, immigration specialists and other professionals in this area. In addition to formal court presentations, Aleph's staff provides invaluable consulting services to attorneys and counseling to offenders and their families at every stage of the proceedings, including attorney referrals, plea agreement strategies, retention of experts, sentencing guidelines analysis, pre-sentencing investigations and court appearances.

Every proposal submitted by Aleph to the federal courts carefully considers the factors outlined in 28 U.S.C. § 3553, including, but not limited to, "the history and characteristics of the defendant" and the legislative directive to provide "correctional treatment in the most effective manner." Moreover, Aleph works to assist the court in fashioning a particularized sentence "sufficient, but not greater than necessary, to comply with the purposes set forth" in the sentencing statute. 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a).

Aleph's alternative sentencing proposals are unique, individually-prepared documents. A stringent screening process that includes interviews with the offender and counsel determines eligibility. Aleph's staff formulates sanctions that utilize modern approaches to reform and rehabilitation, including home detention, electronic monitoring, curfew, community service, financial monitoring, restitution, fines, education, intensive religious and family counseling, and probation.

Invaluable Perspectives

Aleph's wide experience with the federal and state prison systems also proves invaluable to offenders and their attorneys when alternatives to incarceration are not available by law or when the sentencing court determines that such alternatives are inappropriate. Aleph's rabbis, staff and volunteers regularly visit over 350 state and federal prisons each year and interact with wardens, chaplains and institutional staff on a daily basis. Aleph also receives approximately 600 collect telephone calls and 1,000 letters each month from inmates around the country and their families.

As a result, Aleph's staff can provide unique insights and counseling as to what may be expected in the prison setting, which particular institutions may best meet the particular needs of prospective inmates and their families, and what actions should be taken at each step of the process to secure religious and other needs.

A Judicially-Recognized Resource

America's most significant prosecutors, judges, legislators, probation officers and prison officials have recognized The Aleph Institute's educational and humanitarian accomplishments and have accorded it a unique level of confidence and responsibility.

"The Aleph Institute is doing extraordinary fine work. . . . Aleph helps in three ways. First, it explains to judges and the judicial system when and how alternatives to prison which protect the public are possible. Second, it helps those in prison develop their spiritual lives and maintain contact with their families and the world beyond their bars and barbed wire. Third, it assists those outside, particularly the children of prisoners, to retain their ties with prisoners. As a result of its good work, Aleph is widely known and respected by penal and judicial authorities."

Hon. Jack B. Weinstein, Senior United States District Judge,
United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York

*Aleph does not provide legal representation or legal advice to individuals. Consulting services generally are provided to or through the client's legal representatives.

Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar
Founder and Chairman

Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar founded The Aleph Institute in 1981 and has presided over its growth ever since. Rabbi Lipskar also is the founder and spiritual leader of The Shul, a synagogue and educational complex serving the Jewish communities in Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Indian Creek Village, Surfside, and other parts of Dade and Broward counties, Florida.

A noted writer, lecturer, educator and expert on the criminal justice system and families, Rabbi Lipskar has been featured at a number of academic symposia on sentencing issues. His innovative proposals on sentencing and criminal justice have been featured in law reviews, journals and other professional publications, and have been adopted by numerous state and federal judges around the country.