NCJ Number
168652
Journal
Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Dated: (1997) Pages: 107-130
Date Published
1997
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on research into the possible impact on future inmate populations of proposed changes in Oklahoma's sentencing structure.
Abstract
Oklahoma is reforming its criminal sentencing statutes, eliminating parole and the indeterminate sentencing structure of present statutes and replacing it with a "truth in sentencing" framework. Under the proposed structure judges would retain discretion but punishment ranges available to the sentencing court would be significantly restricted and convicted offenders would be required to serve no less than 80 percent of the sentence imposed. State law requires an ex ante assessment of the possible impact of the changes on future inmate populations prior to passage of the proposal. Using data from a variety of official sources and a stochastic entity simulation model developed by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, this paper presents the results of that research effort. The model projects a smaller increase in the inmate population under the proposed legislation relative to that projected under the current sentencing structure. However, unless it is considerably modified, the proposed sentencing scheme will lead to a total annual inmate population in Fiscal Year 2001 which is still well beyond the planned system capacity. References