Final answer:
The effectiveness of non-residential community corrections programs depends on the risk profile of the offenders, with restorative justice and diversion programs being more suitable and cost-effective for lower-risk offenders, and incarceration potentially more effective for higher-risk offenders.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether non-residential community corrections programs with a greater proportion of higher-risk offenders are more successful than those with more low-risk offenders does not have a straightforward answer. Evidence suggests that each type of offender requires a different approach. While incarceration can be effective for high-risk offenders, strategies like restorative justice programs and diversion programs may be more suitable and cost-effective for low-risk offenders. Such programs can address underlying issues like drug addiction and provide individuals with tools for rehabilitation, decreasing the likelihood of future crimes. Incarceration, especially for juveniles and non-violent misdemeanors, can be less effective or even counterproductive, as it may increase future crimes and has a high cost attached to it.