Profile of Colorado's Prisoners - Custody Needs and Public Risk

• NCJ Number: 98927
• Author(s): M Mande; T K Martin
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 40 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Corrections; Edna McConnell Clark Foundation
• Corporate Author: Prison Overcrowding Project
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Working Papers, number 14.

Annotation

This 1982 survey of Colorado prison inmates profiled them to ascertain whether some could be placed in alternative to ascertain whether some could be placed in alternative correctional programs without increased risk to the public; the study also examined aggregate custody needs to make a preliminary estimate of required prison capacity by custody level.

Abstract

The Rand Incapacitation Scale, the Michigan Assault Scale, and the Michigan Property Scale were used to assess inmates' risk to the public. Results indicate that up to 20 percent of the current average daily inmate population are low risk and are likely candidates for placement in alternative correctional programs at no increased risk to the public. The initial classification scale developed by the National Institute of Corrections and the Federal classification scale were used to assess the aggregate custody needs of the prison population. The data indicate that a substantial proportion (perhaps as much as 60 percent) of the current inmate population could be reclassified into lower custody levels. Based on this analysis, several policy options are suggested for allevating Colorado's prison overcrowding while minimizing the need for new prison construction or renovation. Tabular data are provided; study instruments are attached.