NCJ Number
153866
Journal
Journal of the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Research Consortium Volume: 1 Dated: (August 1994) Pages: 95-106
Date Published
1994
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This analysis of trends in sentence length and time served in the Oklahoma prison system since 1900 was based on the archives and current records of the State correctional department.
Abstract
Sentence length was calculated as the number of years in the sentence times 12 plus the remainder months of the sentence; life sentences were figured as 45 years. The key variables focused on in the study included race, gender, county, and statute. The findings show that the female prison population in Oklahoma has risen dramatically, the proportion of black inmates among the prison population has fluctuated widely, violent offenses as a percentage of total offenses for which inmates served time has decreased steadily, overall sentence length across all ranges of sentences has increased, and time served has declined despite lengthening sentences. 6 tables and 1 note