NCJ Number
78893
Journal
State Government News Volume: 24 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1981) Pages: 4-7
Date Published
1981
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Data on populations in State prisons are presented, along with an analysis of reasons for prison overcrowding and case examples and recommendations for relieving overcrowding.
Abstract
Among reasons for overcrowding are the increase in crime, a retributive public mood which has resulted in mandatory and longer sentences, and conservative parole policies. Reasons for trying to keep offenders out of prison are the cost of incarceration and of new prison construction, prisons' failure to curb crime, and studies questioning the value of imprisonment for nonviolent and less serious offenders. Parole, work release, preparole release, and community corrections are among the options for reducing prison populations. Since adopting sentencing guidelines in May 1980, Minnesota has experienced a 20 percent drop in the number of new prisoners. These guidelines recommend short terms or no imprisonment for property crimes and longer terms for violent crimes. Oregon courts have significantly increased the use of probation since the State's 1977 passage of a community corrections act. Iowa has increased its use of community corrections, and Hawaii usually requires community service of first-time offenders who might otherwise be candidates for probation or deferred acceptance of a guilty plea. Under an emergency powers act invoked by the Governor in May 1981, Michigan expects to release about 800 inmates 90 days early to deal with a prison overcrowding emergency. Other approaches include legislation specifying emergency procedures and use of local jails. A summary of a recent Supreme Court decision on overcrowding and a table showing each State's prison population and annual cost per inmate are provided. Sources of additional information are also provided.