NCJ Number
102087
Journal
Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science Volume: 478 Dated: (March 1985) Pages: 150-160
Date Published
1985
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The use of noncustodial sentences and prison population reduction strategies to address prison overcrowding requires a fundamental rethinking of the nature and use of the complete range of penalties.
Abstract
Current noncustodial sentencing schemes have introduced alternatives to imprisonment at more points in case processing, have targeted offenders who would have previously been imprisoned, have increased the weight of noncustodial penalties, and have devised new means of influencing how programs are used. The most frequently used mechanisms for are used. The most frequently used mechanisms for reducing inmate populations are the regulation of prison admissions, the revision of parole eligibility dates or release criteria, the increase of good-time credits, the expansion of clemency, and the use of capacity limits in sentencing policy. Typically, offenders released from prison under these schemes are not channeled into effective community programs. Both the use of noncustodial sentences and prison population reduction strategies require the development of a clear, detailed battery of noncustodial sentencing options tailored to various offender types. To meet this requirement, Thomas Quinn has proposed a sequential sanctioning framework composed of 10 levels of accountability characterized by increasing restrictiveness. Guidelines ensure the consistent assignment of offenders to the appropriate accountability level. This is the kind of structured sentencing that should be applied in the selection of noncustodial sanctions. 12 footnotes.