NCJ Number
142315
Journal
Texas Police Journal Volume: 41 Issue: 3 Dated: (April 1993) Pages: 13-16
Date Published
1993
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article recommends policies that will ensure that habitually violent offenders are incapacitated in prison for long periods.
Abstract
Studies have found that a relatively small portion of the population is responsible for a large part of the criminal violence in the United States. Identification and neutralization of this hard-core criminal element is the key to reducing violent crime, and incarceration has a critical role to play in this battle. The prevention of a large portion of this group from committing more crimes by putting them in prison for long periods of time after conviction for a second or third serious offense is the most effective way to reduce violent crime rates. Additionally, there is evidence that certain and firm punishment early in a criminal career can reduce recidivism. To facilitate this strategy for reducing violent crime, States should adopt truth in sentencing by restricting parole practices and increasing time actually served by violent offenders. States can increase the certainty and honesty of sentencing along with its deterrent and incapacitative effects by restricting parole practices. Parole should not be used to reward good behavior in prison, since prison behavior is not an accurate reflection of behavior after release; and it should not be used to reduce prison overcrowding, because this compromises public safety. States should also adopt mandatory minimum penalties for gun offenders, armed career criminals, and habitual violent offenders. This would help ensure that hard-core violent offenders will serve minimum lengths of time in prison deemed appropriate for the severity of their crimes. 16 references