NCJ Number
161460
Journal
State Legislative Report Volume: 20 Issue: 16 Dated: (November 1995) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1995
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This document reviews State legislatures' criminal sentencing enactments during 1995.
Abstract
Truth in sentencing was an objective in many States during 1995, even though there are varied definitions of the term as well as the numbers and types of offenders to whom it applies. New State laws will keep repeat and violent offenders in prison longer, and some balance long sentences for violent offenders with treatment or community sanctions for others. Many States added capital crimes or expanded the factors that could result in imposition of a death sentence. Laws have been enacted to establish or expand registration requirements for sex offenders. State laws have fine-tuned stalking laws or increased penalties. Prison privatization received attention in State legislatures in 1995. Also related to corrections management were laws altering or eliminating emergency release procedures, and laws requiring hard labor for all able inmates, including development of chain gangs. The report includes an alphabetical list by State of sentencing enactments and the crimes and offenders affected. There is a separate section concerning Sex Offender Registration and Notification Enactments that includes new laws and revision to existing laws, as well as Sex Offender Notification to Officials or Public Access to Registry.