NCJ Number
144154
Date Published
1992
Length
44 pages
Annotation
Sentencing patterns for drug offenders in New South Wales, Australia were studied using more than 1,000 drug sentencing records from cases decided between September 25, 1989, when the Sentencing Act took effect, and December 31, 1991.
Abstract
The analysis considered state and commonwealth sentences separately, because the offenses are defined differently and carry different maximum penalties. Results revealed that 57 percent of the commonwealth cases involved importing a prohibited drug, usually heroin or cocaine. Offenders tended to be males ages 31-40 with no prior criminal records. Sentence lengths and minimum custodial sentences generally increased as the offense seriousness increased. Most state drug law offenses involved cultivation or supplying a prohibited drug, usually marijuana, heroin, or amphetamines. Offenders were usually males aged 21-40. Nine of 10 offenders were involved with heroin; just under six of 10 who supplied cocaine; and just under half of those supplying amphetamines were sentenced to imprisonment. Periodic detention or community service orders were used more often for marijuana and amphetamine offenses than for heroin or cocaine offenses. Imprisonment was used less often for offenses involving cultivation than offenses involving supplying drugs. Tables, figures, and footnotes