Controlling the Prison Population: Procedures for Anticipating the Effects of Alternative Strategies

• NCJ Number: 137869
• Journal: EuroCriminology Volume: 4 Dated: (1992) Pages: 69-82
• Author(s): C Perry; K Pease
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: Poland

Annotation

This paper provides statistics on imprisonment in the United Kingdom and Europe and analyzes alternative strategies for producing changes in the prison population.

Abstract

The data show that people sentenced 1-3 months spend an average of 29 days in custody, while people sentenced to serve at least 4 but less than 5 years spend an average of 2.55 years in custody. The data also indicate that effective sentence length does not increase in proportion to the sentence given and that countries with a high prison population per 100,000 population are not necessarily those with a high use of prison as measured by receptions. Understanding the relationships between prison receptions, prison populations, and average lengths of stay can be useful in estimating the effects of policy changes related to prison crowding and the use of imprisonment. Specifically, the prison population can be controlled through a combination of reducing sentence length by discretionary release and introducing the use of noncustodial sentences. General early release or a reduction in sentence length can also be used to control the growth of the prison population. In addition, decriminalizing certain offenses can substantially reduce the prison population. Any policy that substitutes custodial measures with noncustodial ones and/or reduces prison sentence length, however, will increase the amount of time offenders are at liberty, and it can be expected that a percentage of these offenders will engage in crime. Diversion from custody would have to take place on a massive scale in order to have a noticeable impact on the prison population. Decriminalizing certain types of behavior will have an effect on the prison population only to the extent that it is politically difficult. Shortening sentence length has a directly proportional impact on the prison population, even considering the incapacitative effects of imprisonment. 6 references and 8 tables