NCJ Number
40055
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1977) Pages: 22-34
Date Published
1977
Length
12 pages
Annotation
EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT MANDATORY IMPRISONMENT OF CAREER AND REPETITIVELY VIOLENT OFFENDERS FOR LENGTHY PERIODS OF TIME, CALLED INCAPACITATION, HAS ON REDUCING CRIME RATES.
Abstract
THE STUDY INVOLVED A GROUP OF ADULT OFFENDERS WHO HAD BEEN INDICTED FOR VIOLENT CRIMES IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO, IN 1973. A SERIES OF HYPOTHETICAL SENTENCING POLICIES WERE TESTED, FROM THE MOST STRINGENT - A FIVE YEAR MANDATORY SENTENCE ON ANY PRIOR FELONY CONVICTION, WHETHER VIOLENT OR NOT - TO FAR LIGHTER SENTENCES TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTS OF ADULT INCAPACITATION-ORIENTED POLICIES ON THIS COHORT OF VIOLATORS. THE RESULTS SUGGEST THAT THE MOST STRINGENT OPTION WOULD HAVE PREVENTED NO MORE THAN 4 PERCENT OF THE VIOLENT CRIMES IN FRANKLIN COUNTY IN 1973. REASONS FOR THIS MINIMAL IMPACT OF THE INCAPACITATION STRATEGY ARE DISCUSSED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...KAP