The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) The Commonwealth recognizes the severe problem of overcrowding in correctional institutions and understands that overcrowding is a causative factor contributing to insurrection and prison rioting.
(2) The Commonwealth also recognizes that the frequency of convictions responsible for the dramatic expansion of the population in correctional institutions is attributable in part to the increased use of drugs and alcohol.
(3) The Commonwealth, in wishing to salvage the contributions and dedicated work which its displaced citizens may someday offer, is seeking to explore alternative methods of incarceration which might serve as the catalyst for reducing criminal behavior.