NCJ Number
157895
Date Published
1995
Length
72 pages
Annotation
All 50 States and the District of Columbia were surveyed to determine the number and nature of truth-in- sentencing laws proposed and in place and the percentage of the sentence imposed that must be served in prison.
Abstract
Under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, states must meet either of two standards to qualify for Truth in Sentencing Incentive Grants. The first standard, which was the focus of this study, requires State laws requiring persons convicted of any violent offense to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed. Results revealed strong interest in truth-in-sentencing legislation. Nineteen States had such legislation in place before the 1995 legislative session. Legislatures in 29 States reportedly dealt with proposed legislation in the 1995 session; the legislation passed in 5 States, failed in 4 States, and was pending in 20 States. Several States reported the desire to qualify for Federal Crime Bill funding as a factor in developing the legislation. The States' truth-in-sentencing legislation appeared generally compatible with Federal goals. Chart, State profiles, and appended methodological information and list of State contacts