NCJ Number
129184
Date Published
1988
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the decrease in the West German prison population and discusses possible explanations. It also examines the potential application of this process to the criminal justice system in Great Britain.
Abstract
The West German Prison population decreased about 20 percent (11,000 inmates) since 1983. The process encompassed both remand prisoners, sentenced prisoners, and juveniles as well as adults in all 11 States of the Federal Republic. Neither economy, demography, the crime rate nor legislation can account for this reduction. The key factor lies within the West German criminal justice process. Prosecutors decreased number of prosecutions and requests for remands in custody, while the legal profession focused attention on the excessive use of imprisonment before trial. Although the West Germany experience cannot service as a suitable model for length of time of imprisonment, it does show that reduction in prison population is possible without negative impact on public order and safety. It is not clear whether the decrease in juvenile crime occurred because of or in spite of the reduction. The continuation of this change raises issues of lasting reduction and the abolition of the prison institution. 3 tables and 20 references