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Prison Crowding in the United States - The Data

NCJ Number
105026
Author(s)
S R Schlesinger
Date Published
1987
Length
4 pages
Annotation
In an effort to understand the complex problem surrounding prison overcrowding, comprehensive data is presented profiling the type of individual who enters and leaves prison, the actual amount of time served for each crime, and common alternatives to prison in the United States.
Abstract
Individuals most likely to enter prison are predominately male, young (average age 26), and disproportionately black; have committed a serious offense; or are repeat offenders. In 1983, the average age for individuals leaving prison was 27, and the average amount of time served for a crime was 26 months. Findings reveal that for crimes of aggravated assault, time offenders serve is comparable to time served in the past, but for crimes such as burglary and robbery (the two most common offenses among the prison population) time served is less than in previous years. Between 1978-1984, there has been a significant shift from parole board decisionmaking to mandatory minimum and determinate sentencing laws as the principle means to release prisoners. Popular alternatives to prison are community supervision, community service, restitution, and sentences served on weekends. Rather than place serious offenders into society or maintain crowded prisons, it is suggested that States continue to construct new prisons and that research be done that is aimed toward understanding prison as a successful deterrent in preventing crime and in preventing released criminals from returning to prison.