NCJ Number
126848
Date Published
Unknown
Length
35 pages
Annotation
Projections of institution, parole, and outpatient populations for Fiscal Years 1990-1991 through 1995-1996 are presented.
Abstract
Over the last 10 years, the population in California Department of Corrections' institutions has increased considerably. The increases in population are due to continuing increases in new admissions and parole violators returning to prison. The increase in admissions is due primarily to the impact of legislative changes and an increase in reporting crime, especially drug-related crime. The increase in parole violator returns results from a combination of factors, including severe crowding in local jails and court orders against such crowding, a larger parolee population, and a high rate of returning parolees with new terms. Over the years, voter initiatives, court decisions, legislation, and administrative policy have played, and continue to play, key roles in affecting the population level of California's prisons. Recent administrative policy and court decisions have also translated into stronger law enforcement and more severe criminal sanctions. Given the current tenor of the Legislature, the court system and the public-at-large, California's prison population can be expected to continue to grow in the foreseeable future. 5 figures, 17 tables, and 3 footnotes