NCJ Number
179226
Date Published
1998
Length
17 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 1993 and 1997; the report also presents information on the demographic characteristics and legal history of escapees; when appropriate, escapees are compared with the general inmate population.
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. In the 5-year period of 1993-97, 71 inmates escaped from custody. Nine inmates escaped in calendar year 1997, considerably less than the average number of escapees during the previous 4 years. The majority of escapees (89 percent) between 1993 and 1997 were from minimum-security facilities or from work details outside the security perimeter; there were two escapes from secure custody in 1997. From 1993 through 1997, 8 percent of escapes occurred at maximum-security prisons, 17 percent at medium-security facilities, and 75 percent at minimum-security facilities. In 1997 two of the nine escaped inmates were incarcerated for burglary. Twenty-four percent of escaped inmates during 1993-97 had been imprisoned for burglary compared to 9 percent of the inmate population. During the period 1993-97, escapees were younger when compared to the total inmate population; 39 percent of the escapees were under 25 years old, and 20 percent of the general inmate population was under 25 years old. Thirty-seven percent of escapees between 1993 and 1997 had served less than 1 year in custody; only 27 percent had served 3 years or more. Of 1997 escapees, 33 percent had served less than 1 year in custody. Of the 71 escapees between 1993 and 1997, 55 percent were caught within 12 hours, and 82 percent were apprehended within 72 hours; one minimum-security inmate remains at large. Extensive tables and figures