NCJ Number
142859
Date Published
1992
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This report provides descriptive information on incidents of escape from the correctional facilities of the New York State Department of Correctional Services between 1987 and 1991, as well as information on demographic characteristics and legal history of escapees.
Abstract
The analysis uses a series of variables, including facility security level, age, commitment offense, minimum sentence, maximum sentence, time served, prior adult criminal history, and duration of escape. From 1987 through 1991, 50 inmates escaped from custody. The majority of escapees (76 percents) were from minimum-security facilities or medium-custody inmates assigned to work outside of the security perimeter. In 1991, the inmates who escaped were incarcerated for the offenses of murder, robbery, criminal possession of stolen property, and burglary. Escapees were younger when compared to the total inmate population; 44 percent of the escapees were under 25 years old. Over the period studied, 60 percent of escapees were white. Thirty- eight percent of escapees had served a prior commitment at a State prison, and 24 percent had been previously incarcerated at a local jail. Sixty-four percent of escaped inmates were serving a minimum sentence of less than 3 years, and 56 percent of escapees had served less than 6 months in custody. Fifty-two percent of escapees were caught within 12 hours, and 90 percent were apprehended within 72 hours. One escapee in 1991 was arrested for an additional crime while on escape status; he was charged with theft of a motor vehicle. 8 tables, 8 charts, and appended supplementary data