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Colorado Prison Overcrowding Project - Analysis of Admissions Data

NCJ Number
98932
Author(s)
W Woodward; M Mande
Date Published
1984
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper explains how Colorado corrections admissions data were analyzed to develop three sentencing options that would significatly reduce the number of offenders sent to prison.
Abstract
A total of 5,000 court cases filed in judical districts throughout the State in 1979-82 were examined to obtain data on current conviction and prior arrests/incarcerations. Convictions were broken down by both felony class (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 as designated by State statute) and by type of offense (crime against persons and 'other'). The study determined percentages of intake into probation, community corrections, and prison based on conviction felony class. The comparison of these percentages suggested the three proposed options for reducing prison overcrowding. The first option proposes giving probation to offenders with no prior felony arrests/convictions (except current offense) and a current conviction for a class 4 or 5 nonviolent felony. This option would annually remove 232 persons from community corrections and 206 persons from prison compared to current disposition patterns for such offenders. The second option would place offenders convicted of felony 4 and 5 nonviolent crimes and having 1 prior arrest into community corrections diversion programs, reducing the prison population by 173 annually. The third option would remove from prison those offenders who have committed a class 3 nonviolent offense and have no prior criminal history, placing them in community corrections. This would annually reduce the prison population by 70 compared with current disposition patterns. Cost savings provided by the options are also reviewed. Tabular data and the data form are provided.

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