NCJ Number
241608
Date Published
January 2013
Length
60 pages
Annotation
This paper identifies and discusses issues underlying the growing Federal prison population, as well as what changes in Federal criminal justice policy could reduce the prison population while maintaining public safety.
Abstract
Changes in Federal sentencing and correctional policy since the early 1980s have contributed to the rapid growth in the Federal prison population. These changes include an increase in the number of Federal offenses subject to mandatory minimum sentences, changes in the Federal criminal code that have made more crimes Federal offenses, and the elimination of parole. These policies have led to an increase in the number of Federal inmates from approximately 25,000 in fiscal year (FY) 1980 to nearly 219,000 in FY 2012. Approximately 7 in 10 inmates are sentenced for 5 years or less, and the largest portion of newly admitted inmates has been imprisoned for drug offenses. The growing number of Federal inmates combined with the rising per capita cost of incarceration has increased appropriations for the Federal Bureau of Prisons from $3.668 billion in FY 2000 to $6.381 billion in FY 2011. At the same time, the amount of prison space has not kept pace with the increasing number of inmates, leading to prison overcrowding; the Federal prison system was 39-percent over its rated capacity in FY 2011. Changes the U.S. Congress could consider in reducing the prison population are as follows: modify mandatory minimum penalties; expand the use of residential reentry centers; place more offenders on probation; reinstate parole for Federal inmates; expand the amount of good-time credit an inmate can earn; and repeal Federal criminal statutes for some offenses. Considerations for reducing overcrowding could include building more prisons or placing more inmates in private prisons. 14 figures, 5 tables, and 146 notes