3.9 Alternative sentencing Courts should make greater use of alternative, non-custodial sentences, such as those contained in section 276(1)(h) and (i) of the Criminal Procedure Act. The DCS reports that, in 2009/10, a total of 21 782 offenders had served correctional supervision sentences. Greater use of alternative sentencing options will no doubt reduce overcrowding and will, more importantly, facilitate the speedy and smooth reintegration of offenders into society. In October 2010 the JCPS cluster reported that the continued incarceration of those serving sentences of less than six months impacts negatively on the provision of rehabilitation programmes. To date, magistrates have been reluctant to impose alternative sentences, largely owing to the DCS' inability to track such offenders. Given that, with adequate monitoring, the benefits of alternative sentences far outweigh those of incarceration, their use, where appropriate, should be encouraged.