NCJ Number
103415
Date Published
1986
Length
83 pages
Annotation
This historical account describes South Carolina's efforts to achieve uniform sentencing reform through the sentencing guidelines, as well as determinate schemes implemented in other States and Minnesota's guidelines approach.
Abstract
The report traces the development of indeterminate sentencing policies from the late 19th century to the early 1960's when serious doubts surfaced about the effectiveness of this concept. It discusses legislation passed by California, Indiana, and Maine that demonstrates different sentencing alternatives -- mandatory minimum sentencing and curtailing parole boards -- adopted under the 'just desserts' perspective. Another approach to reform, sentencing guidelines developed by an independent sentencing commission, is described. The report reviews Minnesota's efforts to implement this scheme and the nature of the guidelines developed. Sentencing reform movements in South Carolina are surveyed, with attention to the Proposed Code of Criminal Procedure report issued in 1974 after a 4-year review of the State's criminal code. The report details the legislature's efforts to promote sentencing reform through a 1981 study committee and two sentencing guidelines commissions. Key provisions of the guidelines proposed and submitted to the legislature in 1985 are highlighted. 24 references.