NCJ Number
196187
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 27 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2002 Pages: 10-23
Date Published
June 2002
Length
14 pages
Annotation
A survey for June 2002 presents information and data on prison population projections, the impact of legislation on prison populations, and alternatives to incarceration for 46 correctional systems in the United States (excluding the Federal system and local or county jails) and 5 Canadian Provinces.
Abstract
Data on prison population projections address the following for each jurisdiction: rated capacity for custodial adults; optional housing due to crowding; projection methods; prison population projections for males and females for 2004, 2006, and 2008; and past accuracy rating. Information on legislative impacts on prison populations for each jurisdiction covers the following: incarceration rate increases from recent sentencing imperatives (sentencing guidelines, mandatory minimum, and legislative mandates); enactment of legislation to set operational limits above rated capacity and resulting ceiling; legislative action (funded new construction, enacted or considered "three strikes" law, and abolished parole); and recent laws expected to increase incarceration rates. Information on alternatives to incarceration for each jurisdiction encompasses type of alternatives currently in use or planned, along with funding status, and prison-time reductions that have resulted from alternatives. Prison alternatives include community service, intensive probation supervision, house arrest, electronic monitoring, early release/intensive parole, shock incarceration/boot camp, and increased "good time." Tables display the data and information for each of the three areas surveyed for each jurisdiction.