Decarceration is a conceptual framework and research area centered on reducing the reliance on imprisonment as a primary response to crime. It investigates the socio-legal, economic, and ethical dimensions of punitive confinement, exploring and evaluating alternative strategies focused on rehabilitation, reintegration, and prevention. The concept critically examines the efficacy and implications of traditional carceral systems while seeking to identify and promote approaches that balance justice, public safety, and human dignity.