NCJ Number
216141
Journal
Crime & Delinquency Volume: 52 Issue: 4 Dated: October 2006 Pages: 619-641
Date Published
October 2006
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study developed estimates for the number of people incarcerated in the United States for drug-law violations between 1972 and 2002, distinguished by type of institution (Federal prison, State prison, or jail) and by the nature of the drug offense (possession or use, trafficking, or other).
Abstract
In 1972, 38,680 individuals were incarcerated in all types of custodial facilities examined; 3,384 were in Federal prison, 19,996 in State prisons, and 15,300 in jails. In 2002, 480,519 drug offenders were in all types of custodial facilities; 63,898 were in Federal prisons, 252,249 in State prisons, and 164,372 in jails. This substantial increase in drug-related incarcerations over time showed the most dramatic increase in the late 1980s. Changes over time in the type of conviction charge for drug offenders have been much less pronounced than have been changes in the total number of drug-law violators incarcerated. Most drug-related incarcerations involved offenders who had at least some role in drug distribution rather than just users. The data presented do not support a thesis that expanding incarceration for drug-related offenses significantly reduces drug use. Still, incarceration, even at modest levels, might control some destructive aspects of drug markets, such as drug-related homicides. In 2002, the cost of drug-related incarceration approached $13.5 billion. At issue in drug policy debates is whether incarceration is cost-effective. This article does not take sides in such debates, but rather provides data input for the debate regarding drug-related incarcerations. Annual data on the number of inmates by type of institution are generally available, but information on conviction offense was only available from periodic surveys. These have been conducted for jails (1972, 1978, 1983, 1989, 1996, and 2002); State prisons (1974, 1979, 1986, 1991, and 1997); and Federal prisons (1991 and 1997). 3 tables, 4 figures, 10 notes, and 87 references